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.
Maori Men and the Grief of SIDS
Authors:
Edwards, Shane
McCreanor, Tim
Ormsby, Manga
Tipene-Leach, David
Source:
Death Studies: 2009, 33(2), pp. 130-152.
Summary
This article presents a summary of themes identified through a qualitative study of 9 Maori men who had experienced the death of an infant due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The first theme identified by the authors was that the men faced numerous stressors at the time of death, including the stress of legal and medical investigations concerning the nature of the death, and the interference with traditional Maori grieving rituals. The second theme regarded the coping mechanisms chosen by the Maori men. The men who worked found relief in returning to work; those who were unemployed and of lower socioeconomic status reported turning to physical activities such as going to the gym, or turning to drugs and alcohol. The third theme was the lack of support that the Maori men experienced during their grief. The men reported a lack of support from their social networks as well as from mainstream support services. The authors recommend that more bereavement support services be provided specifically for fathers and that those support services recognize the differences in grieving between Maori fathers and mothers.
Key Words: father, SIDS, cope, support, social, culture, ritual
Service Provider Implications
The findings of this research study highlight the importance of recognizing and attending to a father’s grief. The findings also affirm the importance of recognizing the influence of cultural traditions and rituals in the grief journey.
