A daughter's mother dies : a case study

Abstract

The aim of this dissertation has been to explore the possible neurotic traits and psychopathological dysfunctions emerging over the life span of daughters who experienced their mothers' death up to the onset of puberty. Following a theoretical review on the subject, a single case study was taken up as a method of research utilising an unstructured interview as a tool by which to gather the relevant data. The results from the case-study showed that the participant had suffered from a typical neurotic trait and a number of psychopathological symptoms, as intermediate effects following the loss of her mother. Her period of depression arising during this same time was largely due to circumstances following the death. The participant seems to have made a good adjustment to her later life with no long term psychopathological dysfunctions. In comparing the case study results to the theory, one finds that intermediate and long term neurotic traits and psychopathological dysfunctions may or may not necessarily manifest themselves over the life span of such daughters. Moreover it was found that the actual loss through death was not the only causal factor that accounted for the said intermediate and long term effects. Relationships and circumstances occurring before, during and after the loss could all play an aetiological role.