Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 1 of 1
Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network
Communicative Constitutions Of Identity And Emotions Within A Virtual Support Group For Disenfranchised Bereaved Individuals, Michael Cody Coker
Communicative Constitutions Of Identity And Emotions Within A Virtual Support Group For Disenfranchised Bereaved Individuals, Michael Cody Coker
Theses and Dissertations
Millions of U.S. families care for pets, a joyous yet emotional experience. Following a pet loss, caregivers embark on the oft lingering and disenfranchised grief processes. Online support groups are helpful to the disenfranchised bereaved population as technology allows users to access similar individuals, acquire support, and make sense of their experiences. Throughout disenfranchised animal companion loss, bereaved online support group members engage in sensemaking (Weick, 1995) to reconcile their past and becoming selves, construct a community identity, and grapple with their emotion displays within and outside of the support group. Identity work and emotions are salient sensemaking processes among …