WED-024 - The Experiences of the Social Processes of Dying

Brief Abstract Summary: Social connection is important for every individual’s health and well-being from the beginning of life to the end. However, there is a gap in research around social connection at the end of life. Specifically, the nature of social relationships, changes in social relationships, and the drivers of these relationships and changes in them. In order to better understand the social processes of dying, researchers listened to the experiences of individuals at the end of life. Themes emerged from these experiences, and informed researchers what the experiences of the social processes of dying are. These findings will shape how the dying process is looked at and will lead to improved support for individuals at the end of life.

Detailed abstract description: The Office of the Surgeon General (2024) advises that “social connection is a fundamental human need, as essential to survival as food, water, and shelter”. When one does not have solid social support, there are severe negative health effects (The Office of the Surgeon General, 2024). On the other hand, when an individual does have social connection and social support there are many positive health effects (Ahmed & Mohamed, 2022; Gurrapu et al., 2024) Social support is viewed as an exchange of resources between two people that benefits the receiver (Mahmutovic, 2024), and when considering individuals at the end of life as the receiver, the benefits are wide reaching. Knowing the importance of social support for health and well-being, it is vital we know what the nature of these relationships is. There is conflicting research on the status of social relationships and drivers of change in social relationships at the end of life. It is crucial that we better understand changes in social relationships experienced by a dying individual, as well as the drivers of these changes in order to optimize health and well-being when facing the end of life. This research aimed to address the clear gap in research in the United States around the social processes of dying, specifically with regards to the changing nature of social relationships and the effects of these changes on an individual’s health. Guided by a phenomenological approach, researchers conducted semi- structured, in-depth interviews with individuals in hospice care in order to better understand the social processes at the end of life. After listening to individuals’ experiences, clear themes emerged: individuals have varying levels of support and connection at the end of life. Individuals at the end of life also experience changes in the ways they connect with others. The nature of social relationships at the end of life is due to many factors including the individual’s personality type, their socioeconomic status, their physical and cognitive capabilities, and stigma around death and dying. These findings are important in shaping how the dying process is looked at from a social perspective and will guide future research on how to better support individuals during the dying process.

This presentation will help attendees understand the nature of social relationships at the end of life, the changes in social connections, and the drivers of these relationships and changes in them. This is important for attendees to know because everyone has relationships with people at the end of life. Many feel uncomfortable in these relationships and this presentation will help to mitigate that discomfort and improve those relationships. This presentation will make attendees be a better support system for individuals at the end of life and help them feel better prepared to approach the topic of death and dying. Attendees will then be able to contribute to needed discussion and research around death and dying.