Shaped by Mortality: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth in Deathcare Workers

Abstract

Deathcare workers routinely encounter suffering, dying, and death, which may generate both psychological strain and opportunities for existential growth. This study aimed to explore how continuous occupational exposure to dying and death shapes the lived experiences and meaning-making of deathcare workers, with particular attention to growth-consistent existential changes. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, 45 semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed to identify core meaning-making processes. Three primary Group Existential Themes emerged: appreciation for life and being present, authenticity and spontaneity, and pragmatic views of life and death, alongside an overarching process capturing the coexistence of emotional strain and growth. These themes reflect forms of vicarious post-traumatic growth, including shifts in worldview, priorities, and self-perception, while coexisting with emotional demands. The findings challenge deficit-focused narratives of deathcare work and highlight the need for organizational policies and death education initiatives that support reflection, dialogue, and meaning-making in these professions.