Exploring Maternal Grief: A Mixed-Methods Investigation of Mothers’ Responses to the Death of a Child From Cancer

Gerrish, Nick J.; Neimeyer, Robert A.; Bailey, Sue

doi:10.1080/10720537.2014.904700

Cited by 21 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 74 publications

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“…World Assumptions Scale.Revised Grief Experiences Inventory.Gerrish and Bailey (2012)Case studyNot reportedNot reported1 FemaleMarriedLeukaemiaNot reported6 yearsBiographical Grid Method (BGM).Gerrish et al (2010)Case studiesNot reportedCaucasian (100%)2 FemalesMarried (100%)Cancer9 & 22 years7 years & 5 yearsBGM. HGRC.Gerrish et al (2014)Mixed methodsNot reportedCaucasian (100%)13 FemalesMarried (11)Separated (1)Widowed (1)CancerRange 2–35 years M = 14.8 M = 4.5 yearsRange = 0.80–9.3Interviews. BGM.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition to reports of growth, Buchi and colleagues (2007) highlighted that 80% of parents still showed signs of grief and 19% indicated ongoing suffering, two to six years after their premature baby had died. Gerrish and colleagues (2014) found that despite mothers being able to recognize personal growth, they also experienced enduring sadness. They reported that all of their participants demonstrated a combination of ‘complicated’ and ‘adaptive’ grief (Gerrish et al, 2014).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Gerrish and colleagues (2014) found that despite mothers being able to recognize personal growth, they also experienced enduring sadness. They reported that all of their participants demonstrated a combination of ‘complicated’ and ‘adaptive’ grief (Gerrish et al, 2014). …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a hierarchical multiple regression analysis, Engelkemeyer and Marwit (2008) found that grief intensity accounted for only 4% of the variance of post-traumatic growth scores in their study. Gerrish et al (2014) reported that women who experience high, but not overwhelming, levels of grief also experienced more growth. Additionally, Jenewein et al (2008) found that bereaved parents had higher (but not significantly) PTGI scores overall, when compared to PTGI scores of parents whose pre-term baby had survived.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The mothers in Gerrish et al’s (2014) study discussed how having the opportunity to prepare for their child’s death from cancer facilitated adaptation. Similarly, Polansky and Esprey (2000) reported that the mean PTGI score was higher for parents whose child died from an illness; however, their sample size was too small to determine significance.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

What aspects of post-traumatic growth are experienced by bereaved parents? A systematic review

Waugh

Kiemle

Slade

2018

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

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Background: The death of a child of any age can be traumatic and can leave bereaved parents experiencing negative psychological outcomes. Recent research has shown the potential utility for understanding more about the development of post-traumatic growth following bereavement.Objective: This paper sought to identify the aspects of post-traumatic growth experienced by bereaved parents and the factors that may be involved in facilitating or preventing post-traumatic growth.Methods: A systematic search of peer-reviewed articles with a primary focus on positive personal growth in bereaved parents was conducted. Thirteen articles met the inclusion criteria, and were analysed and synthesized according to common and divergent themes.Results: Bereaved parents were able to experience elements of growth proposed by the post-traumatic growth model (changes in self-perception, relationships, new possibilities, appreciation of life and existential views). The papers also indicated that (1) mothers appeared to experience more growth than fathers, (2) cultural variation may impact on some participants’ experience of growth, and (3) participants were able to identify growth only once some time had passed. Potential facilitators of post-traumatic growth involved making meaning, keeping ongoing bonds with the child, being with bereaved families, and family and personal characteristics. Social networks were identified as having the potential to be either a facilitator or a barrier to growth.Conclusions: In addition to experiencing grief, bereaved parents may experience aspects of post-traumatic growth, and a variety of factors have been identified as potential facilitators and barriers of these changes. The findings may have implications for support services (e.g. expert-by-experience services).

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

What aspects of post-traumatic growth are experienced by bereaved parents? A systematic review

Waugh

Kiemle

Slade

2018

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

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The longitudinal contribution of attachment models and interpersonal factors to posttraumatic growth among suicide‐loss survivors

Levi‐Belz

Rotem

2021

J Clin Psychol

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Objective This study aimed to deepen our understanding of the interpersonal facilitators of posttraumatic growth (PTG) among suicide‐loss survivors (SLSs) by focusing on the effects of attachment models on PTG in a 4‐year longitudinal design. Method One‐hundred and fity‐two SLSs completed a series of questionnaires tapping attachment models, self‐disclosure, social support and PTG in a three‐wave study design. Results Attachment models, self‐disclosure, and perceived social support at T1 were found to predict PTG levels at T2. Self‐disclosure alone predicted PTG at T3. Structural equation modeling analysis revealed that interpersonal factors served as mediators of the relationship between attachment models and PTG beyond the PTG trajectory. Conclusions Attachment models play an important role in facilitating PTG among SLSs. Thus, therapeutic interventions based on attachment models of self and other specifically designed to promote a sense of self‐worth and confidence in others may be valuable in facilitating growth among SLSs.

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Bereavement Follow‐Up After the Death of a Child as a Standard of Care in Pediatric Oncology

Lichtenthal

Sweeney

Roberts

et al. 2015

Pediatric Blood & Cancer

113

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After a child’s death to cancer, families commonly want continued connection with the healthcare team that cared for their child, yet bereavement follow-up is often sporadic. A comprehensive literature search found that many bereaved parents experience poor psychological outcomes during bereavement and that parents want follow-up and benefit from continued connection with their child’s health care providers. Evidence suggests that the standard of care should consist of at least one meaningful contact between the health care team and bereaved parents to identify those at risk for negative psychosocial sequelae and to provide resources for bereavement support.

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Exploring Maternal Grief: A Mixed-Methods Investigation of Mothers’ Responses to the Death of a Child From Cancer

Cited by 21 publications

References 74 publications

What aspects of post-traumatic growth are experienced by bereaved parents? A systematic review

What aspects of post-traumatic growth are experienced by bereaved parents? A systematic review

The longitudinal contribution of attachment models and interpersonal factors to posttraumatic growth among suicide‐loss survivors

Bereavement Follow‐Up After the Death of a Child as a Standard of Care in Pediatric Oncology

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