Cause of Death and the Quest for Meaning After the Loss of a Child

Lichtenthal, Wendy G.; Neimeyer, Robert A.; Currier, Joseph M.; Roberts, Kailey E.; Jordan, Nancy C.

doi:10.1080/07481187.2012.673533

Cited by 92 publications

(82 citation statements)

References 51 publications

(84 reference statements)

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“…For example, previous studies have suggested that risk factors for PGD, including that of violent loss, increase symptoms of PGD by hindering meaning making such that the bereft are unable to ‘make sense’ of the death or its aftermath (Milman, Neimeyer, Fitzpatrick, MacKinnon, Muis, & Cohen, under review; Currier, Holland, Coleman, & Neimeyer, 2007; Lichtenthal, Neimeyer, Currier, Roberts, & Jordan, 2013; Neimeyer, Baldwin, & Gillies, 2006; Rozalski, Holland, & Neimeyer, 2017). Building on this research, this study examines which themes of meaning are disrupted specifically following violent loss with the aim of informing preventive interventions that facilitate meaning making in a manner that mitigates symptoms of PGD among the violently bereft.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Prolonged grief symptomatology following violent loss: the mediating role of meaning

Milman

Neimeyer

Fitzpatrick

et al. 2017

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

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Background: Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) is over-represented among those who have lost loved ones to violent causes. To tailor PGD interventions for this vulnerable population it is critical to examine the aetiology of PGD specifically in the context of violent death bereavement. Previous studies have suggested that violent loss increases symptoms of PGD by hindering the mourner’s ability to make meaning of the death or its aftermath. However, these studies have relied on cross sectional data that preclude genuine prediction and have not differentiated among specific themes of meaning. Objective: This study aimed to identify specific themes of meaning that mediate the detrimental impact of violent loss on subsequent emergence of PGD symptomatology among the violently bereft. Method: A longitudinal, prospective design (N = 171) was used to assess violent loss and themes of meaning an average of six months post-loss allowing for prediction of PGD symptoms an average of eight months later. Results: Violent loss had a significant indirect effect on PGD symptomatology when meaning themes focusing on sense of peace and continuing bonds served as mediators. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the mediating role that specific meaning themes play in the development of PGD symptomatology following violent loss. These findings highlight the potential benefits of applying a meaning-based intervention approach with the violently bereft.

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confidence: 99%

Prolonged grief symptomatology following violent loss: the mediating role of meaning

Milman

Neimeyer

Fitzpatrick

et al. 2017

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

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“…The relationship between PTG and type of child's death after birth was not analysed, because of the small number of subjects. Available data (Lichtenthal, Neimeyer, Currier, Roberts, & Jordan, 2013) indicate that bereaved parents whose children died of illness report higher levels of PTG than those whose children died of injury (i.e. accident, suicide, and homicide).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Posttraumatic positive changes among parents who have experienced the loss of a child – the role of social support

Ogińska-Bulik¹

2017

Health Psychology Report

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BackgroundIn addition to a number of negative consequences, the trauma associated with the loss of a child may also entail the development of positive changes in psychosocial functioning, manifested as posttraumatic growth. An important factor that promotes posttraumatic growth is social support. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between social support and the occurrence of positive posttraumatic changes resulting from trauma associated with the loss of a child.Participants and procedureThe study analysed a group of 76 persons who reported that the loss of a child (including perinatal and postnatal) was a traumatic event. The majority of respondents were women (55.30%). The age of the participants ranged from 18 to 62 years (M = 35.88, SD = 9.52). The following Polish versions of standardized tools were used: the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, the Significant Others Scale to measure social support, and the visual analogue scale to assess the intensity of the trauma.ResultsThe subjects revealed positive changes in all spheres of posttraumatic growth following the loss of a child, greater in the group of people who lost their child after birth. A positive relationship was found between almost all types of analysed social support (except for desired emotional support) and posttraumatic growth. The regression analysis revealed that received practical support fulfils the primary predictive role for posttraumatic growth.ConclusionsThe use of the assistance of others by persons who have experienced trauma may contribute to the occurrence of growth after trauma.

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“…Those who significantly struggle with maintaining a sense of meaning in life or purpose and/or making sense of the death may be at increased risk for mental and physical health problems (Lichtenthal et al, 2010; Neimeyer & Sands, 2011; Lichtenthal et al, 2013). …”

Section: Risk Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of the Bereavement Risk Inventory and Screening Questionnaire (BRISQ): Item generation and expert panel feedback

et al. 2016

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Objectives Following the loss of a loved one to cancer, a significant subset of bereaved family members are at heightened risk for mental and physical health problems; however, often these family members “fall through the cracks” in the healthcare system. A brief, clinically useful self-report bereavement risk screening tool could facilitate more effective identification of family members in need of psychosocial support before and after a cancer loss. Thus, the purpose of this study was to develop and refine the Bereavement Risk Inventory and Screening Questionnaire (BRISQ), a self-report bereavement screening tool, and to assess its utility using feedback from bereavement experts. Methods Quantitative and qualitative feedback from a panel of 15 clinical and research experts in bereavement was obtained through an online survey to identify the most clinically useful items and understand expert opinion on bereavement screening. Results The qualitative and quantitative feedback was synthesized, resulting in a 22% reduction of the item pool. While there was a general consensus between experts on the most clinically useful risk factors for bereavement-related mental health challenges and on the utility of screening, they also offered feedback on language and formatting that guided substantial revisions to the BRISQ. Significance of Results These findings were used to refine the BRISQ in preparation for a second study to obtain family member feedback on the measure. By incorporating both expert and family member feedback, the intention is to create a screening tool that represents top clinical and research knowledge in bereavement in a way that effectively addresses barriers to care.

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Cause of Death and the Quest for Meaning After the Loss of a Child

Cited by 92 publications

References 51 publications

Prolonged grief symptomatology following violent loss: the mediating role of meaning

Prolonged grief symptomatology following violent loss: the mediating role of meaning

Posttraumatic positive changes among parents who have experienced the loss of a child – the role of social support

Development of the Bereavement Risk Inventory and Screening Questionnaire (BRISQ): Item generation and expert panel feedback

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