PURPOSE: This study explores parental grief on the death of a child of any age. STUDY DESIGN: The sampling frame for the study consisted of 74 respondents reporting that they experienced the death of a living child. With the exception of standard demographic measures, the quantitative and qualitative items in the instrument were designed specifically for this project. The content validity of the instrument was assessed by a panel of experts on grief. Key quantitative items related to child loss and grief were formatted with between three- and five-point ordinal answer categories. Two types of qualitative items were developed by the authors. The reliability of the instrument designed for this study was not determined. RESULTS: This survey of parents who experienced the death of a child during their lifetime explores and extends current understanding of the complex emotional response of grief. The study offers empirical support for the notion of grief as ongoing in the life of a parent whose child had died. The findings have significant implications for further clinical research supporting studies to explore commonalities in the experience of grieving families regardless of the cause of and time since the death of their child. In addition, the findings may serve to inform the development and provision of services for bereaved parents.
PURPOSE: This study explores parental grief on the death of a child of any age. STUDY DESIGN: The sampling frame for the study consisted of 74 respondents reporting that they experienced the death of a living child. With the exception of standard demographic measures, the quantitative and qualitative items in the instrument were designed specifically for this project. The content validity of the instrument was assessed by a panel of experts on grief. Key quantitative items related to child loss and grief were formatted with between three- and five-point ordinal answer categories. Two types of qualitative items were developed by the authors. The reliability of the instrument designed for this study was not determined. RESULTS: This survey of parents who experienced the death of a child during their lifetime explores and extends current understanding of the complex emotional response of grief. The study offers empirical support for the notion of grief as ongoing in the life of a parent whose child had died. The findings have significant implications for further clinical research supporting studies to explore commonalities in the experience of grieving families regardless of the cause of and time since the death of their child. In addition, the findings may serve to inform the development and provision of services for bereaved parents.
Authors: Daylee Greene; JoAnn T Tschanz; Ken R Smith; Truls Ostbye; Chris Corcoran; Kathleen A Welsh-Bohmer; Maria C Norton Journal: Am J Geriatr Psychiatry Date: 2013-08-14 Impact factor: 4.105
Authors: Wendy G Lichtenthal; Geoffrey W Corner; Corinne R Sweeney; Lori Wiener; Kailey E Roberts; Raymond E Baser; Yuelin Li; William Breitbart; David W Kissane; Holly G Prigerson Journal: J Clin Oncol Date: 2015-06-01 Impact factor: 44.544
Authors: Terrah L Foster; Mary Jo Gilmer; Betty Davies; Mary S Dietrich; Maru Barrera; Diane L Fairclough; Kathryn Vannatta; Cynthia A Gerhardt Journal: Death Stud Date: 2011 May-Jun
Authors: Amanda L Thompson; Kimberly S Miller; Maru Barrera; Betty Davies; Terrah L Foster; Mary Jo Gilmer; Nancy Hogan; Kathryn Vannatta; Cynthia A Gerhardt Journal: J Soc Work End Life Palliat Care Date: 2011
Authors: Wendy G Lichtenthal; Corinne R Sweeney; Kailey E Roberts; Geoffrey W Corner; Leigh A Donovan; Holly G Prigerson; Lori Wiener Journal: Pediatr Blood Cancer Date: 2015-12 Impact factor: 3.167