Death of a Partner: Perspectives of Heterosexual and Gay Men

Abstract

Previous studies have examined how individuals cope with the death of a partner. Most of these studies have focused on the experiences of women or have studied men only in comparison to women. This qualitative study focused only on the experiences of men, both heterosexual and gay men, grieving the untimely death of a partner due to a terminal illness. In-person two-hour interviews were conducted with 12 men. Data were analyzed using the constant comparative method (Lincoln & Guba, 1985). Results identify the similarities and differences of grief in men as influenced by sexual orientation. Recommendations for practitioners providing therapeutic services to grieving men and researchers investigating men’s grief are offered.