Abstract
The scope of this thesis is to investigate the role of the Church of Denmark in the prevention of PGD (prolonged grief disorder). This through an investigation of the griefshare groups constituted by the church. Additionally, the thesis aims at investigating the social implications of the acknowledgement of PGD in WHO. Through a scientific report, published by researchers with close ties to griefshare groups, this thesis investigates the employment of the theoretical psychological groundwork used by the church.
The main data in this qualitative study is yielded from the documentary analysis, which is conducted together with the snowball sampling method to find relevant empirical data. Moreover, a single semi-structured, dialogue-based, expert-interview with a pastor is conducted to shed light on the recent developments within the griefshare groups. I also utilize the methodological framework done by L. Yardley to strengthen the validity and reliability of the study. Finally, social constructivism is applied as a scientific foundation for the study, in an effort to elucidate the social constructions in the grief process.
The diaconal social work with griefshare groups has overall yielded positive results according to the leaders and participants themselves, however, there is still room for improvement;; The theological approach used within the griefshare community inadvertently excludes certain social groups as well as religious segments of society. Furthermore, the Danish Health Authority expects2 the church to be one of the main actors in the identification of griefshare participants with symptoms of pathological grief. However, the result of the analysis shows that the leaders of the church’s griefshare groups lack relevant qualified psychological skills, although they are able to provide some spiritual and existential encouragement.