Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

Nineteen mothers whose children had died were interviewed to examine their bereavement and how they were coping with the loss of their children. The data collected revealed that the mothers were traumatized by the deaths of their children. Each bereaved mother reported that her world was not the same again. In the beginning they felt totally crushed. Some of the mothers had suicidal ideation. With the passing of time, their grief—which had once seemed unbearable—turned to manageable sorrow. The mothers, however, thought that any closure regarding their bereavement was impossible. They continued to feel close to their deceased children as they treasured the memories of their children. These mothers also reported to envisage connection to their children through various means.

Keywords

bereavement grief

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Arnold

& Buschman

G. P.

(2008). The continuing process of parental grief. Death Studies, 32, 658–673.

Attig

(2000). The heart of grief. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Barrera

D'Agostino

N. M.

Schneiderman

Tallett

Spencer

Jovcevska

(2007). Patterns of parental bereavement following the loss of a child and related factors. Omega, 55, 145–167.

Barrera

O'Conner

D'Agostino

N. M.

Spencer

Nicholas

& Jovcevska

(2009). Early parental adjustment and bereavement after childhood cancer death. Death Studies, 33, 497–520.

Bosticco

& Thompson

T. L.

(2005). Narratives and storytelling in coping with grief and bereavement. Omega: Journal of Death and Dying, 51, 1–16.

Coffin

W. S.

Jr. (2004). Eulogy for Alex. Available at http://www.pbs.org/now/society/eulogy.html.

Doran

& Hansen

(2006). Constructions of Mexican American family grief after the death of a child: An exploratory study. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 12, 199–211.

Field

N. P.

(2008). Whether to relinquish or maintain a bond with the deceased. In Stroebe

M.S.

Hansson

R. O.

Schut

& Stroebe

(Eds.), Handbook of bereavement research and practice: Advances in theory and intervention (pp. 113–132). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Glaser

& Strauss

(1967). The discovery of grounded theory: Strategies for qualitative research. Chicago, IL: Aldine.

10.

& Brotherson

S. E.

(2007). Cultural influences on parental bereavement in Chinese families. Omega: Journal of Death and Dying, 55, 1–25.

11.

Klass

& Walter

(2001). Process of grieving: How bonds are continued. In Stroebe

Hansson

Stroebe

& Schut

(Eds.), Handbook of bereavement research: Consequences, coping, and care (pp. 431–448). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

12.

Lincoln

& Guba

(1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Newbury, CA: Sage.

13.

Murphy

S. A.

(2008). The loss of a child: Sudden death and extended illness perspectives. In Stroebe

M.S.

Hannson

R. O.

Schut

& Stroebe

(Eds.), Handbook of bereavement research and practice (pp. 375–395). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

14.

Rogers

C. H.

Floyd

F. J.

Seltzer

Greenberg

& Hong

(2008). Long-term effects of the death of a child on parents' adjustment in midlife. Journal of Family Psychology, 22, 203–211.

15.

Saiki-Craighill

(2002). The personal development of mothers of terminal cancer patients: How Japanese women change through the experience of caring for and losing their children to cancer. Qualitative Health Research, 12, 769–779.

16.

Sormanti

& August

(1997). Parental bereavement: Spiritual connections with deceased children. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 67, 460–469.

17.

Strauss

A. L.

& Corbin

(1998). Basics of qualitative research: Techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

18.

Talbot

(2002). What forever means after the death of a child. New York, NY: Brunner-Routledge.

19.

Vickio

C. J.

(1999). Together in spirit: Keeping our relationships alive when loved ones die. Death Studies, 23(2), 161–175.

Bereaved Mothers Navigating the Impact of Their Loss

Abstract

Keywords

Get full access to this article

References