Finding voice through memoir writing: An exploration of the expression of grief in undergraduate students’ narratives

Abstract

Background: Memoir writing can be a powerful tool for authors to reflect on past events and express their emotions, especially those related to grief. Research suggests that, beyond narrating stories, memoir writing can fulfil a therapeutic purpose when based on personal experiences.
Objectives: This article explores how first-year undergraduate students utilise memoir writing as a therapeutic means to express grief. In this article, memoir writing is employed not merely to recount events drawn from personal memories but also as a coping strategy that involves reflection upon traumatic experiences through written expression. It acts as a means for emotional expression and interrogation of thoughts.
Method: Data were collected using qualitative approach aligned with a case study research design. The data collection process involved memoirs written by five first-year undergraduate students who participated in a Memoir Writing Project. In addition, thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.
Results: The findings indicate that some students utilised the memoir writing process as a means of reflecting on their past traumatic experiences. In addition, the memoir writing process contributed to enhancing metacognitive skills which are a requirement in self-reflection. It afforded them an opportunity to connect their past, present, and future and consequently, they gained a broader perspective into how loss shaped their personal identities.
Conclusion: This article demonstrates that memoir writing can provide a haven for first-year students to express deep emotions which they might not previously have shared with others. It provides a space in which students feel secure enough to disclose personal experiences and understand that others may have experienced similar life challenges.
Contribution: This article provides a broader understanding of how memoir writing functions as an important tool to help students develop confidence to express their perspectives through writing. It also shows how collaborative writing creates a space where writers feel safe to express themselves without fear of judgement.