FROM PRIVATE LOSS TO PUBLIC EXPRESSION: PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY OF DIGITAL GRIEF AMONG 200 LEVEL STUDENTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY KEFFI
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Abstract
In an era where social media has become central to communication and self-expression, the experience of grief is undergoing significant transformation. This phenomenological study explores how Nigerians navigate and make meaning of grief in digital spaces. Using semi-structured interviews with 20 adults who have lost a loved one and expressed their mourning through platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram. The research uncovers the lived experiences behind online grief expressions. Findings reveal five key themes: digital grief as an extension of traditional mourning rituals; continuation of emotional bonds with the deceased; social pressure to perform grief publicly; cultural and religious mediation of online expressions; and the therapeutic role of digital communities in emotional healing. While digital grieving offered participants validation and connection, it also introduced complexities such as performance anxiety and cultural tension. The study concludes that digital grief in Nigeria represents a hybrid mourning space deeply shaped by cultural values, spiritual beliefs, and technological affordances. Implications for grief counseling, mental health interventions, and culturally responsive digital design are discussed. The study calls for further research into intergenerational, gendered, and psychological dimensions of digital mourning in African contexts.
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