Chapter 6: Imagination and Mourning: The Case of a Young Caregiver

In this chapter we aim to discuss the imaginative processes in conjunction with mourning experienced, in transitional dynamics, by a young woman who suddenly finds herself in the situation of informal caregiver of her aged mother who needs special care as a result of a cerebral vascular accident. Three narrative interviews were conducted at different moments, with an interval of three and half months between the interviews. The interviews were transcribed fully and then the data were interpreted and discussed under the foundations of Semiotic Cultural Psychology and the literature on the role of informal carers of elderly and care dependent people. Among the results, it was possible to notice that, although the imagination is an important resource in transitive moments, the focus on the present experiences seems to have been a more functional strategy for the participant in order to make her more able to make decisions and establish the care routines. The spiritual beliefs related to predestination, as well as the lack of information about her mother’s illness seem to have contributed to restrict the elaboration of other possible meanings for the experience. However, the space offered for narrative construction by the research was placed as an important source of support for the changes that took place throughout the process. Finally, we point out the need for studies that may include other family members so that it is possible to more systematically contemplate the relational dynamics established between them.