Pet As Family: The Lived Experience of Adults Who Experienced Pet Death

• Main Authors: Yuan-Tsui-Pin, 袁翠苹
• Other Authors: 高淑清
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2007
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/75453253631384680858

碩士 === 國立嘉義大學 === 家庭教育研究所 === 95 === Pet As Family: The Lived Experience of Adults Who Experienced Pet Death Tsui-Pin Yuan Graduate Institute of Family Education National Chiayi University Abstract The purpose of the study was to go deeply into the lifeworld of adults who experienced pet death. Using the hermeneutic phenomenology, this study intended to interpret and discover the nature of such lived experience and the profoundly hidden meaning. Semi-structure in-depth interviews were conducted as the major method to develop a conversational relationship with seven adults who experienced pet death. Through the thematic analysis and intersubjective agreement with the participants, five essential themes were identified. They experienced that (a) the pet is just like their family member, so it’s meaningful to them; (b) when the pet died, they were in terribly shock for a long time; (c) it’s painful to see the pet death. Others may not be able to understand their feelings; (d) they recalled old times, sometimes they felt happy, and sometimes they felt sad; and(e) as time goes by, they’ll hope to transfer their missing into blessing for their pets. This study offered the pictures of understanding the adults who experienced pet death. At the end, this study provided some suggestions. And the end, this study provided some suggestions to family educators, government, counselors, and future research. Keywords: hermeneutic phenomenology, lived experience, pet death, thematic analysis