The effects of a grandfather’s disease process and death on the formation of personal identity in a granddaughter

This case study investigated the influence of a grandfather with Parkinson’s disease and his death on the development of personal identity in his granddaughter. The case was complicated by the granddaughter’s diagnosis at age 20 with a potentially terminal illness 3 months after his death. The granddaughter experienced symptoms similar to those of her grandfather. Analysis of a retrospective interview with the granddaughter revealed four themes: shared interests, coping skills and adaptation, enlightenment, and influence. These themes were examined within the context of Erik H. Erikson’s (1950) theory of identity development as a conceptual framework for understanding the influence of the grandfather-granddaughter relationship.

Reference Information:

Sellers, D., & Milton, M. (2007). The effects of a grandfather’s disease process and death on the formation of personal identity in a granddaughter. Journal of Aging Studies, 21(3), 229-238.

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This entry was posted on Monday, May 5th, 2008. It is filed under Family Studies and Human Services and is tagged with case study, death, grandfather, personal identity.