Unacknowledged Pain and Disenfranchised Grief: A Narrative Analysis of Physical and Emotional Pain in Complex MAiD Bereavement Stories

BACKGROUND: Pain can influence an individual’s choice to pursue medical assistance in dying (MAiD) and may also influence how family members experience that decision. Family conflict or discordance surrounding a loved one’s MAiD decision can cause unique challenges affecting grief and bereavement, including disenfranchised grief. There is limited knowledge of how individuals with complex MAiD bereavement experiences describe the role of physical and emotional pain in their bereavement stories. AIMS: This article explores the role of physical and emotional pain in the stories of family members with complex MAiD bereavement and identifies opportunities to improve care for individuals and families experiencing disagreement around MAiD. METHODS: We conducted qualitative interviews and utilized a narrative and ethics of care approach to analyze the data. RESULTS: We conducted N = 12 narrative interviews with participants in three provinces: Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta. Descriptions of physical pain were used to justify the morality, or immorality, of MAiD in the context of patient suffering. Emotional pain described experiences where participants’ feelings about MAiD went unacknowledged by their family or friends, institutions, and sociopolitical environments. We conceptualize this unacknowledged emotional pain as disenfranchised grief and make recommendations to improve care for individuals experiencing complex MAiD bereavement. CONCLUSIONS: Experiences of physical and emotional pain leave a lasting impact on family members with complex MAiD bereavement. Health care professionals should continue to improve care for family members following MAiD, especially where there is disagreement or family conflict.