Shidu women—the historical, cultural, personality characteristics of their grief psychodynamic

Abstract

Shidu women are mothers who have lost their only child and no longer have the chance to have another child. Most of them, born in the 1950s and 1960s, have experienced important historical events and social changes in recent decades of China. Through the case studies of several Shidu women, it is found that their grief process after losing the only child not only displays general characteristics of grief, but also presents specific historical, cultural, and personal characteristics: they suffered individual, family, and historical trauma after experiencing major social events, at the same time gaining post-traumatic growth and resilience. They received more care from relatives after losing their only child. We found qualities of traditional Chinese women that can bear hardships, be hard-working and tolerant, and demonstrate character of self-esteem and self-reliance, feminine characteristics that are good at expressing emotion and seeking help, and the personality characteristic of altruism. We show the historical, cultural, and personal characteristics that have formed the grief psychodynamic of Shidu women.