14 research outputs found
Couple’s Relationship After the Death of a Child: a Systematic Review
When a child dies, the parents must address the
changes in their relationship as well as the way that these
changes affect their individual adjustment. These two
perspectives are addressed in this systematic review. Five
databases were systematically searched for papers published
in English between January 2000 and February
2014. Of the 646 publications, 24 papers met the inclusion
criteria. The results suggest that a child’s death can cause
cohesive as well as detrimental effects on a couple’s relationship.
Variables that may produce differential outcomes
for the marital relationship include situational factors, such
as the cause and type of death and the child’s age at the
time of death; dyad-level factors, such as surviving children,
the pre-death characteristics of the relationship,
communication and incongruent grieving; and individuallevel
factors, such as the family of origin’s processing of
trauma, social support, religious affiliation and finding
meaning. Aspects such as marital quality and the couple’s
interdependence were found to influence each parent’s individual
adjustment. Larger, prospective, ethically conducted
studies should be implemented to consolidate these
findings. Mental health professionals may benefit from a
deeper understanding of the risk and protective factors
regarding marital adjustment after a child’s death
What aspects of post-traumatic growth are experienced by bereaved parents? A systematic review
Background: The death of a child of any age can be traumatic and can leave bereaved parents experiencing negative psychological outcomes. Recent research has shown the potential utility for understanding more about the development of post-traumatic growth following bereavement. Objective: This paper sought to identify the aspects of post-traumatic growth experienced by bereaved parents and the factors that may be involved in facilitating or preventing post-traumatic growth. Methods: A systematic search of peer-reviewed articles with a primary focus on positive personal growth in bereaved parents was conducted. Thirteen articles met the inclusion criteria, and were analysed and synthesized according to common and divergent themes. Results: Bereaved parents were able to experience elements of growth proposed by the post-traumatic growth model (changes in self-perception, relationships, new possibilities, appreciation of life and existential views). The papers also indicated that (1) mothers appeared to experience more growth than fathers, (2) cultural variation may impact on some participants’ experience of growth, and (3) participants were able to identify growth only once some time had passed. Potential facilitators of post-traumatic growth involved making meaning, keeping ongoing bonds with the child, being with bereaved families, and family and personal characteristics. Social networks were identified as having the potential to be either a facilitator or a barrier to growth. Conclusions: In addition to experiencing grief, bereaved parents may experience aspects of post-traumatic growth, and a variety of factors have been identified as potential facilitators and barriers of these changes. The findings may have implications for support services (e.g. expert-by-experience services)