Abstract
Despite the challenging context of grieving for the death of a child, evidence shows that it is possible for parents to manage and preserve their relationship. The aim of this study was to examine parents’ perceptions of positive interpersonal coping processes that helped their relationship after the death of their child. Individual semi-structured interviews with 17 bereaved maritally committed parents were conducted. The interview guide included questions covering themes such as parents’ coping together, relationship strengths and mutual support. Data were analyzed through constructivist grounded theory methods. Three main themes were identified: search for meaning (reframing of partners’ different coping processes and the changes/difficulties in the relationship, and development of shared beliefs); communication with the partner (direct and indirect feedback, and mutual learning); and care-in-relation (caring for the partner and the relationship). Dyad-level interventions should aim at promoting mutual empathy, development of shared appraisals, and the identification and consideration of each other’s boundaries.
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Acknowledgements
This study was developed within the research line “Relationships, Development & Health”, of the R&D Unit CINEICC—Cognitive-Behavioral Center for Research and Intervention, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Coimbra. Sara Albuquerque is supported by a PhD Scholarship from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (SFRH / BD / 86223 / 2012). We thank Catrin Finkenauer and Asuman Buyukcan-Tetik for their valuable input in the development of this project.
Author Contributions
S.A.: designed and executed the study, analyzed the data and wrote the paper. L.C.F.: collaborated with the design and assisted with the data analyses. I.N.: collaborated with the design, assisted with the data analyses, and collaborated with the writing of the paper. M.P.: collaborated with the design and writing and editing of the paper.
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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.
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Albuquerque, S., Ferreira, L.C., Narciso, I. et al. Parents’ Positive Interpersonal Coping After a Child’s Death. J Child Fam Stud 26, 1817–1830 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-017-0697-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-017-0697-5