Forgiveness Among Malay Bereaved Parents after the Traumatic Loss of a Child

Abstract

The traumatic death of a child imposes profound biopsychosocial challenges on parents, disrupting their emotional, relational, and spiritual well-being. Forgiveness has been identified as a potential pathway to post-traumatic growth, yet little is known about how bereaved parents experience and construct forgiveness in the aftermath of such a loss. This qualitative study explored the meanings and processes of forgiveness among ten parents who had endured the traumatic death of their child. Using thematic analysis, four overarching themes were identified which are forgiveness as a religious imperative, forgiveness as a mutual process, and the unanticipated role of forgiveness in grieving. The findings reveal the complex and often paradoxical nature of forgiveness in parental bereavement, illuminating how forgiveness functions both as an individual and relational process, shaped by cultural, spiritual, and interpersonal contexts. This study underscores the importance of developing sensitive, contextually grounded interventions to support bereaved parents, particularly in addressing unresolved emotional struggles that extend beyond the scope of conventional professional support.