A Grounded Theory on Interment Stress Among Filipino Older Adults

Abstract

Older adults deal with age-related challenges concerning death and dying. Their cognitive and emotional interactions on burial arrangement, funeral expenses and body disposition encapsulate interment stresses. This grounded theory research underscored the development of interment stress among Filipino older adults (n = 26). A three-stage (Yielding, Inflowing and Discharging) model, ‘The spillway for cognitive and emotional interactions of interment stress’ represented interment stress as a cognitive and emotional interactive process experienced by older adults. The emergent model may be vital to offer death awareness and preparation, and a basis for creating appropriate programs to cope with the interment stress among older adults. This interment stress framework may also contribute to geriatric and gerontological psychology focused on promoting the older adults’ psychological well-being and assist in achieving harmonious aging. Ultimately, the findings hope to achieve advances on individuals’ and organizations’ management of older adults’ interment stress within personal, social and professional context.