Grief research in Malaysia and Tampere

– How can technology assist in supporting the bereaved?

 

We interviewed Nur Atikah Mohamed Hussin, a postdoc researcher at Tampere University. She told us about her grief research and the role of technology in grief support. She also reflected on the differences of the grief cultures in Finland and Malaysia and the role of love in her research.

 

Why did you want to come to Finland to do research?

Upon deciding to apply for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme, I contacted Anna Liisa Aho, a distinguished grief researcher at Tampere University. My relationship with her dates back to 2016, during which I have closely followed her remarkable work and the significant contributions of her research team. Their extensive studies on grief and their support for bereaved individuals in Finland and around the world have profoundly inspired me. I am continually inspired by their innovative approaches and dedication to the field. I am confident that collaborating with Anna Liisa and her team will provide me with invaluable insights and enhance my understanding of grief research.

Furthermore, I have developed a deep admiration for Tampere University and its visionary approach. The university’s profile, which effectively integrates research and education across the domains of technology, health, and society, greatly aligns with my academic and professional aspirations. In the contemporary global context, technology is crucial for enhancing quality of life, as it offers sustainable solutions for research, education, and community engagement. This dedication to sustainability not only empowers individuals to improve their health and well-being but also contributes to the overall strength and resilience of society.

Additionally, Finland has several grief organizations, such as Käpy ry, which provide vital support to bereaved individuals – resources we currently lack in Malaysia. The presence of such organizations is crucial, as they offer valuable assistance not only to grieving individuals and families but also to the wider community, promoting health, well-being, and social cohesion. Considering these strengths, I am convinced that Finland is the ideal place for me to pursue bereavement research.

In the contemporary global context, technology is crucial for enhancing quality of life.

Tell us about your research on parental grief.

In my current grief research, I am collaborating with Anna Liisa Aho on an online grief support application designed to help parents understand their grief. This app can be accessed via electronic devices such as laptops, computers, and cell phones. It provides information about grief, coping strategies, exercises, and contact numbers for bereaved individuals seeking support throughout their grieving process. The application is available at https://griefsupport.fi/.

Research on parental grief is highly complex. It extends beyond the personal loss, impacting the entire family and society as a whole. Parents play a crucial role in supporting their surviving children, yet they face the challenge of redefining their roles for both the surviving and deceased children. Despite their grief, parents must continue to provide care for their family, maintain their roles as workers, spouses, and family members, and fulfill other responsibilities. Without adequate support, they may struggle to cope with their loss and maintain these roles, leading to potential physical, psychological, and social issues.

Both formal and informal support systems are essential, but each comes with its own set of challenges. Informal support from family and friends, while valuable, often lacks the specialized skills needed to effectively help bereaved individuals. This can sometimes lead to exhaustion or unintentionally hurtful comments, complicating the grieving process. On the other hand, formal support from trained grief professionals is limited by factors such as working hours and bureaucratic obstacles, which can make it difficult for bereaved individuals to access timely help.

One area we explored was parents’ views on online grief support, which I believe presents a promising new avenue for grief professionals to consider. With the growing accessibility and advancement of technology platforms, grief professionals could adopt more dynamic roles by incorporating these tools to provide support to bereaved individuals. However, this shift may introduce complexities in the relationship between clients and professionals, such as maintaining personal connections in a digital environment. Despite these challenges, the potential benefits make it a valuable platform for grief professionals to explore in the future.

In the future, I hope to develop a more advanced online grief application that can support bereaved individuals globally. Expanding collaborations with researchers from diverse fields will be essential to achieving this goal, and I look forward to connecting with more professionals to bring this vision to life.

I invite you to explore the application and join us in its improvement; we are committed to continually enhancing this resource.

I hope to develop a more advanced online grief application that can support bereaved individuals globally.

What made you become interested in grief research?

I recall reading a newspaper article about a tragic case in which parents, in their rush to get to work, accidentally left their child in the car for hours. Given Malaysia’s hot climate, the child tragically died from heat exposure. After the incident, the parents were charged with negligence, sparking public debate about whether this penalty was the right approach to prevent future occurrences. Some argued that the punishment would only add to the parents’ psychological trauma.

As a social worker, this incident made me question: What support do parents receive after such a loss? Are they provided with the necessary care? And does imposing penalties truly prevent similar incidents from happening again?

This event inspired me to focus on researching grief following the traumatic death of loved ones. In Malaysia, grief literacy remains low, with cultural and religious beliefs heavily influencing how people perceive and cope with grief. Many are unaware of its deep impact on individuals’ lives and the importance of providing meaningful support to those in mourning. I believe that conducting bereavement research can help many who are struggling with grief while also promoting overall health and well-being.

I believe that conducting bereavement research can help many who are struggling with grief while also promoting overall health and well-being.

What are the main differences in parental grief or grief culture between Finland and Malaysia?

In terms of grief culture, I have observed both similarities and differences between Finland and Malaysia. In Malaysia, people often seek support from religious figures following the death of a loved one, particularly within the Malay community. Religion plays a significant role in helping individuals make sense of their loss. For example, many Malay bereaved parents find comfort in Islamic teachings, which suggest that their deceased child will be in heaven, waiting to reunite with them. This belief is reinforced by religious narrations that promise parents who have lost a child will be rewarded with heaven, providing them with strength to cope.

Culturally, Malaysia is also influenced by Asian values, which prioritize harmony and avoiding ”losing face.” This often means that Malaysians are less likely to openly express grief or negative emotions, in an effort to maintain relationships and avoid burdening others. My research on parental grief in Malaysia revealed that some parents suppress their feelings out of fear of being judged as bad Muslims or seen as a burden to those around them. This emotional restraint can lead to greater challenges in coping with grief and strain relationships. In extreme cases, I found instances where couples, unable to communicate their grief, remained in marriages without speaking to each other for nearly 10 years. Divorce, being a cultural taboo, further complicates their situation.

In Finland, while some parents believe in reuniting with their deceased child, others lean towards scientific explanations, viewing death as a natural part of life that all living beings must face. Despite these variations in beliefs, grief is generally viewed as a natural phase in life. However, those who find it difficult to cope with loss may experience more intense emotional reactions or turn to substance abuse. Interestingly, nature plays a unique and significant role in the grieving process for Finns. Similar findings have been reported in Sweden, where research on cancer patients revealed that nature helped individuals cope with their diagnosis. In my current study, I found that Finns deeply appreciate nature, and it often aids them in finding meaning in their losses. This connection between nature, culture, and grief has sparked my interest in expanding my research to explore this further, and I hope to pursue it in the future.

Additionally, one notable difference is the extensive grief support available in Finland. The Finnish government, researchers, and care providers work together to offer comprehensive support for bereaved individuals, particularly parents. Numerous organizations such as Käpy ry, MIELI, Huoma, Nuoret Lesket ry, and Surunauha ry collaborate with government entities like KELA to ensure a wide range of services for grieving parents. In Malaysia, however, grief literacy remains low, and there are few services available to support bereaved parents. The limited resources that do exist, such as palliative care, are largely focused on parents of children with chronic illnesses like cancer.

It would be highly beneficial for Malaysia to learn from Finland’s approach, particularly in raising grief literacy and providing more structured support for bereaved individuals.

Malaysians are less likely to openly express grief or negative emotions, in an effort to maintain relationships and avoid burdening others.

What else would you like to share with us?

I consider myself fortunate to conduct research related to grief. Through this work, I’ve encountered remarkable individuals – real-life superheroes – who have faced the loss of loved ones with incredible strength and grace. Their stories have taught me invaluable lessons about gratitude, kindness, acceptance, and love.

I vividly remember a conversation with Prof. Tomofumi Oka, a Japanese expert in self-help, who said, ”Grief is love.” We remember our loved ones, even those who have passed, because of the love we carry for them. This insight resonates deeply with me. At its core, my research is an exploration of love, and I am passionate about continuing this work. I aspire to further research on grief, meet more people, and learn from their experiences, while also assisting bereaved individuals in any way I can. I would like to sincerely extend my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the parents who participated in this research. It is my hope to dedicate this work to you.

At its core, my research is an exploration of love.

I hope to connect with more grief researchers and foster new collaborations. If you’re interested in learning more about our research or collaborating, please reach out to me at atikah.mhussin@usm.my. Let’s connect!

 

Photo: Nur Atikah Mohamed Hussin talking about her research Parental Grief: a Systematic Review of Meaning-Making Coping in Grief Conference 2024 in Tampere.