Supporting Transition to the Bereaved Community After the Death of a Child

The purpose of this study is to explore the experience of maternal bereavement. As scholar practitioners the authors offer their personal narratives to bring awareness to the multifaceted aspects of grieving the death of a child. Using collaborative autoethnography as the study’s methodology enabled the authors to explore their connection to the sociocultural context of maternal grief. Data collection consisted of a dialogue process that took place electronically through the course of asynchronous messages. Data analysis revealed three interrelated themes: transformation, constructing meaning, and creative ways of knowing. The findings are examined in light of literature regarding maternal bereavement and the expressing of grief through writing. The study concludes with a discussion on implications and recommendations for bereaved mothers and those who serve this population.

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Changes in Parents After the Death of a Child To Cancer (702)

Journal of Pain and Symptom Management ◽

10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2011.12.180 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 43 (2) ◽

pp. 419-420 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mary Jo Gilmer ◽

Terrah Foster ◽

Cynthia Gerhardt

Keyword(s):

Death Of A Child

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A Dimensional Analysis of the Concept: Good Death of a Child With Cancer

Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing ◽

10.1177/1043454208317237 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 127-138 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Karrie Hendrickson ◽

Ruth McCorkle

Keyword(s):

Dimensional Analysis ◽

Good Death ◽

Death Of A Child

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Community as a key to healing after the death of a child

Communication & Medicine ◽

10.1515/cam.2007.019 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 153-163 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Sally O Hastings ◽

George W Musambira ◽

Judith D Hoover

Keyword(s):

Death Of A Child

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Sexual Intimacy and Replacement Children after the Death of a Child

OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying ◽

10.2190/rxb2-9jgg-r9kc-q1w7 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 109-118 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Sherry Johnson

Keyword(s):

Sexual Intercourse ◽

Sexual Intimacy ◽

Preparation Time ◽

Sexual Guilt ◽

Death Of A Child ◽

Replacement Child ◽

Child's Death ◽

Specific Reason

The stress on couples who have a child die is tremendous. Fourteen couples who had a short or long preparation time for their child's death were interviewed. All parents expressed guilt. It was also discovered that because of this grief and the accompanying guilt, sexual intercourse was performed only by three couples within the first three days after the death, with sexual guilt occurring with one couple. Hugging and being held, however, became a comforting behavior found in all but one couple. This behavior was a new experience for the men. Although sex was perceived as undesirable, it was again initiated for a specific reason: to produce a replacement child. Although the literature indicates that replacement children could be potentially pathological, the question arises whether a replacement child could be a “normal” need for parents of childbearing years.

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Family Therapy in Cases of Interminable Grief for the Loss of a Child

OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying ◽

10.2190/l4fu-m3f3-n8yw-5m9j ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 187-202 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Elliott J. Rosen

Keyword(s):

Family Therapy ◽

Family History ◽

Clinical Assessment ◽

Family Members ◽

Treatment Method ◽

Grief Work ◽

Death Of A Child ◽

Loss Of A Child ◽

The Individual

This paper presents a treatment method in cases where grieving for the death of a child extends beyond normal parameters. The symptoms of interminable grief are likely to continue unless there is direct, and often dramatic intervention. Guidelines for clinical assessment are presented, with particular emphasis upon the investigation of family history in which an early, unresolved death may have occurred. This approach integrates grief work with the individual into a family therapy framework and reflects the notion that grieving, even if identified in one person, is a family affair. Criteria for the inclusion of family members in treatment are considered, the stresses upon the therapist are addressed, a course of treatment is outlined, and two representative cases are presented.

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