School Aged Children’s Experiences 7 and 13 Months Following a Sibling’s Death

Abstract

This study described 6-year to 12-year-old children’s responses 7 and 13 months after siblings’ NICU/PICU/ED death. Using semi-structured interviews, at 7 months, children were asked about events around their sibling’s death. At both 7 and 13 months, children were asked about their thoughts and feelings about the deceased, concerns or fears, and life changes since the death. Thirty one children (58% female), recruited from four South Florida hospitals and Florida obituaries, participated. Children’s mean age was 8.4 years; 64.5% were Black, 22.5% Hispanic, 13% White. Interviews were analyzed using conventional content analysis. Resulting themes: circumstances of the death, burial events, thinking about and talking to the deceased sibling, fears, and life changes. Most children knew their sibling’s cause of death, attended funeral/memorials, thought about and talked to their deceased sibling, reported changes in family and themselves over the 13 months. Fears (something happening to themselves, parents, other siblings—death, cancer, being snatched away) decreased from 7 to 13 months especially in 7-year to 9-year-olds. Seven-year to 9-year-olds reported the greatest change in themselves from 7 to 13 months. More Black children and girls thought about the deceased and reported more changes in themselves over the 13 months. School aged children thought about and talked with their deceased sibling, reported changes in themselves and their family and their fears decreased over the first 13 months after their sibling’s death

Surviving Siblings’ Illnesses, Treatments/Health Services over 13 Months after a Sibling’s Death

“…This is consistent with some parents wanting their remaining children to sleep with them in the days or weeks after their child’s death (Brooten and Youngblut 2016). In the first month after the sibling’ s death, many parents needed physician reassurance that their surviving children were healthy.…”

“…The increase in doctor visits in the first month after the sibling death and over the first 6 months may be a reflection of parents’ hypervigilance of their other children. This is consistent with some parents wanting their remaining children to sleep with them in the days or weeks after their child’s death (Brooten and Youngblut 2016). In the first month after the sibling’ s death, many parents needed physician reassurance that their surviving children were healthy.…”

Death and dying: A systematic review into approaches used to support bereaved children

“…Three studies (Lowton & Higginson, ; Lane, Rowland & Beinart, ; Dyregrov, Endsjø, Idsøe & Dyregrov, ) interviewed teachers (including five primary and secondary head teachers). Recruitment for participants was school‐related in four studies (Reid, ; Lowton & Higginson, ; Lane et al , ; Dyregrov et al , ), through bereavement services in three (Brewer & Sparkes, ; Brewer & Sparkes, ; Bugge, Darbyshire, Røkholt, Haugstvedt & Helseth, ), through hospitals, obituaries and organisations in five (Andrews & Marotta, ; Brooten & Youngblut, ; Nilsson & Ängarne‐Lindberg, ; Søfting et al , ; Thompson et al , ), and a further three studies took place in grief camps (Keeley & Baldwin, ; McClatchey & Wimmer, ; Richardson, Ferguson, & Maxymiv, ). Of the studies, 33% were UK‐based and 67% reported international findings.…”

“…Of the studies, 33% were UK‐based and 67% reported international findings. Most studies were conducted in the United Kingdom (five) (Reid, ; Lowton & Higginson, ; Brewer & Sparkes, ; Brewer & Sparkes, ; Lane et al , ), and United States (five) (Andrews & Marotta, ; Keeley & Baldwin, ; McClatchey & Wimmer, ; Brooten & Youngblut, ; Richardson et al , ), one in Sweden (Nilsson & Ängarne‐Lindberg, ), three in Norway (Bugge et al , ; Dyregrov et al , ; Søfting et al , ), and another was a collaborative study involving Canada and the United States (Thompson et al , ). Of those participants involved in the studies, the majority had been bereaved of a parent or sibling.…”

Black, White, and Hispanic Children's Health and Function 2-13 Months After Sibling Intensive Care Unit Death

“…Data on children's responses to sibling loss by race/ethnicity is very limited. More Black school-age children reported thinking about their deceased sibling at 7 and 13 months after the death and reported more fears and changes in themselves than Hispanic and White children 8 ; differences in adolescents were not found 9 .…”