There has been considerable research on bereavement and the concept of continuing bonds. However, there is a distinct absence of research considering bereavement, continuing bonds and family dynamics post-bereavement. The paper reports on a study utilising a family systems approach combined with narrative methods, tools of conversation analysis and systemic theory. This integration of approaches is used to consider how one family offers an account of their experience of bereavement. An exploration of their conversation along with visual presentation in the form of button sculpts is employed. The findings support the suggestion that it is useful to consider bereavement experiences as part of a family system. Clinical implications of the research are outlined to consider how best to support bereaved families.
AldersJStedmonJSmartC (2013) Putting the Pieces Together of a Jigsaw. An Elaboration of Experiences: Family and Individual Meaning Making of Bereavement. Plymouth University Library.
2.
BergerPLLuckmannDT (1996) The Social Construction of Reality: A Treatise in the Sociology of Knowledge. New York: Anchor Books.
3.
BrownJ (1999) Bowne family systems theory and practice: illustration and critique. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy20(2): 94–103.
4.
DallosRDraperR (2010) An Introduction to Family Therapy: Systemic Theory and Practice. Berkshire: Open University Press.
5.
DallosRSmartC (2011) An exploration of family dynamics and attachment strategies in a family with ADHD/conduct problems. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry16(4): 535–550.
6.
DallosRVetereA (2012) Systems theory, family attachments and processes of triangulation: does the concept of triangulation offer a useful bridge?Journal of Family Therapy34: 117–137.
7.
FreudS (1917) Mourning and melancholia. In: StracheyJ (ed) The Standard Edition of the Works of Sigmund Freud, XIV. London: Hogarth.
8.
GergenKJGergenMM (1986) Narrative form and the construction of psychological science. In: SarbinTR (ed) Narrative Psychology: The Storied Nature or Human Conduct. New York: Praeger, 22–44.
9.
HeritageJRaymondG (2005) The terms of agreement: indexing epistemic authority and subordination in talk-in-interaction. Social Psychology Quartely68(1): 15–38.
KlassDSilvermanPRNickmanSL (1996) Continuing Bonds: New Understanding of Grief. London: Taylor & Francis.
12.
LehmanDRLangELWortmanCB, et al. (1989) Long-term effects of sudden bereavement: marital and parent-child relationships and children’s reactions. Journal of Family Psychology2(3): 344–367.
13.
LowensteinL (2006) Creative Interventions for Bereaved Children. Toronto, ON: Champion Press.
14.
MapleMPlummerDEdwardsH, et al. (2007) The effects of preparedness for suicide following the death of a young adult child. Suicide and Life Threatening Behaviour37(2): 127–134.
15.
McCormackC (2004) Storying stories: a narrative approach to in-depth interview conversations. International Journal of Social Research Methodology7: 219–236.
16.
MoosNL (1995) An integrative model of grief. Death Studies19: 337–364.
17.
MurrayCITothKClinkinbeardSS (2005) Death, dying, and griefin families. In: McKenryPCPriceSJ (eds), Families & Change: Coping with Stressful Events and Transitions. CA: Sage, 75–102.
18.
MurrayM (2008) Narrative psychology. In: SmithJA (ed) Qualitative Psychology; A Practical Guide to Research Methods. London: Sage, 111–131.
19.
NadeauJW (1998) Families Making Sense of Death. London: Sage Publications Ltd.
20.
NeimeyerRABaldwimSAGilliesJ (2006) Continuing bonds and reconstructing meaning: mitigating complications in bereavement. Death Studies30: 715–738.
21.
NeimeyerR (2005) Grief, loss, and the quest for meaning: narrative contributions to bereavement care. Bereavement Care24(2): 27–30.
22.
NickmanSLSilvermanPRNormandC (1998) Children’s construction of a deceased parent: the surviving parent’s contribution. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry68(1): 126–134.
23.
PalazzoliMSBoscoloLCecchinG, et al. (1978) A ritualized prescription in family therapy: odd days and even days. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy4(3): 3–9.
24.
ParkesCM (1972) Bereavement. New York: International University Press.
25.
RiessmanCK (2008) Narrative Methods for the Human Sciences. London: SAGE Publications.
26.
RollsLRelfM (2006) Bracketing interviews: addressing methodological challenges in qualitative interviewing in bereavement and palliative care. Mortality11(3): 286–305.
27.
StroebeMSchutHBoernerK (2010) Continuing bonds in adaption to bereavement: toward theoretical integration. Clinical Psychology Review30: 259–268.
28.
WalshFMcGoldrickM (1991) Loss and the family: a systems perspective. In: WalshF.McGoldrickM. (eds) Living Beyond Loss. New York: W. W. Norton, 1–29.
