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.
Are We Getting It Right? Parents’ Perceptions of Hospice Child Bereavement Support Services
Authors:
Wilkinson, S.
Croy, P.
King, M.
Barnes, J.
Source:
Palliative Medicine: 2007. Volume 21, pp. 401-407.
Summary
This article describes a qualitative study with 25 parents who had children between the ages of 4 and 18 years, and who had experienced the death of a close family member. The researchers used a purposively selected sample of 19 parents who had utilized the hospice support services for bereaved children and 6 parents who had chosen not to use the hospice support services. Researchers investigated the reasons why some families used the bereavement support services and others did not. Researchers found that parents who used the support services sought advice, emotional support for their children, and help with behavioral problems. Those who did not use the services indicated that their children were not showing signs of distress, or that they felt there were other people in their lives who were better able to provide support.
Key words: child, intervention, parent, support
Service Provider Implications
Service providers may benefit from understanding some of the reasons given by parents for choosing to use, or not to use, bereavement support services for their children.
