Impact of client death on clinical geropsychologists. The: a qualitative analysis

Abstract

Although clinical psychologists who work with older adults are expected to work competently in areas of death and dying, there has been little research that explores how client death impacts these professionals. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, interviews with 10 professional geropsychologists were transcribed and analyzed for common themes across participants. Identified themes included: development of a different mindset in geropsychology; circumstances of memorable client deaths; personal/professional boundaries; impact of client death on clinical work; and developing specific coping strategies. Results from the present study suggested that despite grief reactions, participants believed that experiencing client death led to both personal and professional growth that helped them to become better clinicians. They also identified immediate reactions to client death that ranged from a sense of joy and peace to feelings of loss and regret. Participants identified specific coping strategies they used to cope with this phenomenon.