The National Archive of Grief Support Studies
The National Archive of Grief Support Studies(NAGSS) database provides bibliographical information and summaries of recent articles selected for their relevance to grief and bereavement service providers. The articles that are summarized are selected from scholarly, peer-reviewed journals and are intended to highlight key concepts as well as provide a brief statement of implications for service providers. Bibliographical information may be used to obtain the original article.
The Continuing Process of Parental Grief
Authors:
Arnold, Joan
Gemma, Penelope Buschman
Source:
Death Studies: 2008. Volume 32, pp. 658-673.
Summary
This article summarizes qualitative research into the grief experienced by parents following the death of a child. Participants were 101 parents from a nursing alumni association who had experienced the death of one of their own children during their adult lives. The authors concluded that parental grief is a complex, non-linear process that continues over the lifetime of the bereaved. The authors note that parental grief is profound and never-ending, and that it can also result in significant life transformations. The transformations may be difficult, such as changes in the marriage leading to divorce. However, some emotions, such as heightened empathy and love toward remaining children, may produce positive transformations. The authors note that while a common theme among bereaved parents was the continuing nature of grief, each grief experience was unique.
Key words: parent, spiritual, transform
Service Provider Implications
Service providers should be aware that parental grief has been found to be a continuing, transformative process that involves the parent over a lifetime. Memories of the loss are never obliterated. The continuing grief felt by bereaved parents often becomes a means by which they maintain a sense of connectedness to the child they have lost.
