The Grief of Parents After the Death of a Young Child

Morris, Sue; Fletcher, Kalen; Goldstein, Richard D.

doi:10.1007/s10880-018-9590-7

Cited by 80 publications

(65 citation statements)

References 102 publications

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“…A recent review on parental grief concluded that the grief experiences after the loss of a child are generally so long lasting and severe that they might warrant parental grief being considered a distinct subtype of grief. 1 In the present study, both mothers and fathers report values near or over the cut-off for insomnia symptoms. There is growing evidence for sleep disturbance being associated with mental health symptoms following loss, 28 which is consistent with research in other populations…”

Section: Differences In Psychological Symptom Levels Across Years Smentioning

confidence: 49%

“…Similarly, Ljungman et al found that cancer‐bereaved mothers reported initially higher symptom levels of posttraumatic stress, which declined from 9 months to 5 years postloss; fathers' posttraumatic stress symptoms were initially lower than mothers' but had a weaker decline, and at 5 years postloss, mothers and fathers had similar symptom levels. A recent review on parental grief concluded that the grief experiences after the loss of a child are generally so long lasting and severe that they might warrant parental grief being considered a distinct subtype of grief …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The death of a child violates the perceived order of living in the family life cycle; combined with strong attachment bonds, it puts parents at increased risk for severe suffering and an elevated risk for developing prolonged grief disorder (PGD) and other negative psychological health outcomes. 1,2 Grief reactions in PGD are essentially similar to those in natural grief, but when separation distress is so persistent and pervasive that it impairs the bereaved person's functioning in daily life more than 6 months after the loss, a PGD diagnosis may be applicable according to ICD-11. 3 A recent meta-analysis reported a pooled PGD prevalence rate of 10% in nonviolent adult bereavement, 4 but PGD prevalence rates tend to be higher in samples of bereaved parents.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Bereaved mothers' and fathers' prolonged grief and psychological health 1 to 5 years after loss—A nationwide study

2019

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Objective To assess differences in prolonged grief, depression, posttraumatic stress, and sleep disturbances in bereaved parents across years since loss (1‐5 years) and by gender and to assess potential interactive effects of time since loss and gender on bereavement outcomes. Methods This study examined symptom levels of prolonged grief disorder, depression, posttraumatic stress, and insomnia in bereaved parents. A sample, including 133 mothers and 92 fathers who had lost a child to cancer 1 to 5 years previously, subdivided to five subsamples, one for each year since loss. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess differences in symptom levels, related to years since loss, and gender. Results Regardless of how many years had passed since the loss, symptom levels of prolonged grief, depression, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and insomnia were elevated in all subsamples. Mothers showed higher symptom levels of prolonged grief, depression, and posttraumatic stress than fathers. However, no significant interaction effects were found between years since loss and gender on any of the symptom levels. Conclusions Cancer‐bereaved mothers and fathers are vulnerable to prolonged grief and psychological symptoms up to 5 years after the death of their child. Findings highlight that bereaved parents may need long‐term support, and the results deserve further attention in research and clinical care.

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Section: Differences In Psychological Symptom Levels Across Years Smentioning

confidence: 49%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Bereaved mothers' and fathers' prolonged grief and psychological health 1 to 5 years after loss—A nationwide study

2019

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“…The elements that contribute to complicated grief may be divided into factors of personal risk, associated with the history and prior events in the life of the bereaved individual, and risk factors related to the circumstances of the death of the loved one. The latter comprise the death of a child or youth, death of wife or husband, lack of psychological preparedness to deal with death, death in a hospital, among others (14)(15)(16) . On the other hand, protection factors against complicated grief include the availability of psychological and social support (14) , clear communication between the health staff and family members of the deceased (17) , demonstration of empathy by other family members and the community (18) , and the meanings assigned to the death of the loved one (19)(20)(21) .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of suppressing funeral rituals during the COVID-19 pandemic on bereaved families

Cardoso

Silva

Santos

et al. 2020

Rev. Latino-Am. Enfermagem

116

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Objective amidst the greatest health crisis in history triggered by COVID-19, this documental study was intended to understand the meanings individuals who have lost loved ones in this context assign to the phenomenon of suppressed funeral rituals. Method based on the theory of grief, the corpus of this study was composed of documents published in digital media containing personal writings and reports of experiences freely and easily available to the public. Two researchers with expertise in the field used inductive thematic analysis to interpret data. Results the experiences shared in the reports reflect the suffering experienced by the sudden death of a significant person, which is amplified by the absence or impediment to performing familial farewell rituals. The suppression or abbreviation of funeral rituals is a traumatic experience because family members are prevented from fulfilling their last homage to the loved one who has suddenly passed away, causing feelings of disbelief and indignation. Conclusion alternatives and new ways to celebrate passage rituals in emergencies of strong social commotion such as a pandemic are needed to provide support and comfort to family members, friends, and relatives. These rituals help survivors to overcome the critical moment, decreasing the risk of developing complicated grief.

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“…Over recent decades, knowledge about the parental consequences of losing a child has accumulated. Such losses involve a range of psychological, social, bodily and existential consequences (Dijkstra, 2000;Hunt & Greff, 2012;Morris, Fletcher, & Goldstein, 2018). The seriousness of such losses is also reflected in several studies that have shown increased mortality over many years among parents who lose children, especially among mothers (Espinosa & Evans, 2013;Harper, O'Connor, & O'Carroll, 2011;Li, Precht, Mortensen, & Olsen, 2003;Rostila, Saarela, & Kawachi, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Parental Relationships following the Loss of a Child

Dyregrov

Gjestad

Dyregrov

2019

Journal of Loss and Trauma

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To enhance understanding of parental relationships following the loss of a child, a questionnaire was sent to members of Norwegian bereavement support organizations. The sample consisted of 175 couples. Using the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), we found that an individual's ability to talk to a partner about own feelings positively correlated with fewer problems and higher satisfaction and cohesion in the couples. Couples felt closer to one another following the loss and were pleased with their relationship. Early intervention may help couples navigate the changes necessitated in a relationship by the loss of a child and prevent negative dyadic changes.

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The Grief of Parents After the Death of a Young Child

Cited by 80 publications

References 102 publications

Bereaved mothers' and fathers' prolonged grief and psychological health 1 to 5 years after loss—A nationwide study

Bereaved mothers' and fathers' prolonged grief and psychological health 1 to 5 years after loss—A nationwide study

The effect of suppressing funeral rituals during the COVID-19 pandemic on bereaved families

Parental Relationships following the Loss of a Child

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