Reflections of Young Adults on the Loss of a Parent in Adolescence

Abstract

This study explores the reflections of young adults on the experience of parental loss in adolescence. Participants were recruited through snowball sampling and personal connections from Montreal and New Jersey. Personal interviews based on in-depth, open-ended questions were used to examine how parentally bereaved children and their families were affected in the short term and into early adulthood. The use of resources, coping strategies helpful to the participants, and adaptation to the death were also explored. The findings of the study are discussed through the lens of the Double ABC-X model of family stress and adaptation. Four themes emerged from the data analysis: (a) pile-up of stressors aggravates grieving; (b) benefits of social support; (c) coping strategies used by the participants; (d) adaptation to the loss of a parent -personal growth and maturation. Implications for future research and practitioners working with this population are discussed.

The Meaning of Parent’s Death for Children and Adolescents

“…The result of the research is parallel with Gladding (2002), which stated that the character of a dysfunctional family is imbalance parenting. A negative relationship will have a sad response that is different from those who basically have a positive relationship with parents (Apelian & Nesteru, 2017).…”

Peran Dukungan Sosial dalam Meningkatkan Resiliensi pada Remaja Panti Asuhan

“…Setiap individu pasti pernah mengalami kegagalan, keterpurukan, kesulitan, dan bahkan peristiwa traumatis yang memberikan dampak negatif bagi kehidupan mereka (Purwanti & Aulia, 2017). Remaja yang kehilangan orangtua pasti akan mengalami beberapa tekanan dan kesulitan dalam kehidupannya, misalnya aktivitas sehari-harinya akan berubah, kesulitan dalam perekonomian, serta tidak mempunyai tempat yang bisa dijadikan sebagai hunian tetap (Apelian & Nesteruk, 2017). Bebarapa kesulitan yang dihadapi oleh remaja dalam mengatasi permasalahan dalam hidup dapat dipermudah dengan adanya resiliensi.…”

Effects of parental health shocks on children's school achievements: A register-based population study

“…Consequently, a severe parental health shock may lead to a significant loss of parental investment in the children. In addition, it is likely that children living with an ill parent will undertake (more) domestic responsibilities and household roles and assists in caregiving taking away time from schoolwork (e.g., Apelian & Nesteruk, 2017;Grabiak et al, 2007;Okamoto et al, 2012). Especially, maternal illness may divert children's time towards household chores (e.g., Dhanaraj, 2016;Dinku et al, 2018).…”