Charlemagne Simplice Moukouta

A Cross-Cultural Approach to Complicated Grief Reactions Among Togo–Western African Immigrants in Europe:

Many researchers have noted that bereavement is a major stress factor associated with the etiopathogeny of psychological disorders among immigrants, but until now, the grief reactions of these ethnic minorities have not been analyzed. This study aims to examine the impact of the migration trajectory (immigration status and duration) as well as the use of ritual support to cope with grief reactions in the context of migration. Fifty-four migrants and 20 refugees (N = 74) in France and Belgium were surveyed regarding their experience of mourning a family member. The results showed that complicated grief is associated with the status and duration of immigration. A majority of refugees reported a deterioration of their social life when the duration of their immigration exceeded 10 years. Feeling guilty, dazed or stunned, loneliness, bitterness, numbness, and emptiness made up the spectrum of severe and persistent guilt reactions. Those who took part in bereavement rituals suffered less from feelings of guilt and despondency. Eldest siblings presented a very high rate of complicated grief. These findings were discussed using a psycho-cultural approach; they demonstrated that in the context of migration, grief reactions develop around the principle of debt, based on the parent–child relationship inextricably associated with a feeling of belonging to the ethnic group and collective memory.

Unexpected death, religious coping and conjugal bereavement outcomes in Africa (Togo)

ABSTRACT This pioneering study in sub-Saharan African context examined the role played by religious strategies (religious coping, religious community support (RCS)) in the conjugal bereavement process and its outcomes depending on the expected or unexpected death. Based on cross-sectional approach, the study targeted Togolese bereaved spouses (N = 162). The mean period of mourning was 112.52 months (SD = 94.72). The results of a hierarchical regression revealed that RCS was positively associated with grief symptoms when the death was expected and, unsurprisingly, the negative religious coping predicted grief symptoms when the death was sudden and unexpected. Religious strategies would play a threefold role: providing refuge and comfort, regulating the bereavement distress and serving resources to give meaning to the loss of the beloved. Theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

Difficultés dans la prise en charge des sujets âgés migrants

Based on an in-depth case study, the authors of this paper highlight the difficulties faced by caregivers in the psychogeriatric care for elderly migrants. They show how both the history of emigration and the migratory experience can make this management complex. They articulate their reflection on the difficulties of diagnosis and therapeutic relationship, on the linguistic barrier around the question of old age in migration context. For the effective management of the elderly migrant, the authors suggest a strengthening of intercultural skills for caregivers.