A meal to remember you - a mixed methods study on how food evokes healthy reminiscence amongst the bereaved in Singapore

Abstract

Objective: Acknowledging bereaved persons struggle with memories of the deceased and the health detriments, this paper seeks to find if cooking intervention evokes healthy reminiscence and in turn, improve the well-being of bereaved persons. Methods: 40 bereaved Singaporean participants underwent a culinary intervention, ‘The Table to Console’. Well-being scores recorded pre- and post-intervention were analysed to identify any statistically significant improvements in well-being. To understand if healthy reminiscence moderated the increased well-being, participants’ qualitative responses in focus group discussions and ethnographic notes were coded into themes of healthy reminiscence. These themes were developed from literature review, guided by Framework Analysis. Both data types were integrated through Joint Display to further support the mediation pathway hypothesized. Findings: The culinary intervention benefited participants' spirituality, psychological health and emotional grief significantly with medium effect size, attributed to new perspectives gained from reminiscing (theme 1), food enabling reminiscence (theme 2), experiencing positive memories (theme 3) and confronting difficult feelings to grow (theme 5). Participants also developed new purposes such as using food to honor memories of the departed (theme 4), reminiscing to feel close to the deceased (theme 6), and emulating deceased based on memories (theme 7). Discussion: The findings expand on post-palliative care options for caregivers in Singapore, whereby preparing and consuming food can help process deceased-related memories more adaptively. It is important to note that the well-being improvements were only correlated with healthier reminiscence that occurred. Hence, further experimental studies could be done to prove a stronger relation between food, reminiscence and well-being.