Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Couple’s Relationship After the Death of a Child: A Systematic Review

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Child and Family Studies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

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 individual-level 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.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arnold, J., Gemma, B. P., & Cushman, L. F. (2005). Exploring parental grief: Combining quantitative and qualitative measures. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 19, 245–255. doi:10.1016/j.apnu.2005.07.008.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barrera, M., O’Connor, K., D’Agostino, N. M., Spencer, L., Nicholas, D., Jovcecska, V., et al. (2009). Early parental adjustment and bereavement after childhood cancer death. Death Studies, 33, 497–520. doi:10.1080/07481180902961153.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bergstraesser, E., Inglin, S., Hornung, R., & Landolt, M. A. (2014). Dyadic coping of parents after the death of a child. Death Studies,. doi:10.1080/07481187.2014.920434.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Berman, W., & Sperling, M. (1995). The structure and function of adult attachment. In M. Sperling & W. Berman (Eds.), Attachment in adults (pp. 1–31). New York: The Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bolton, J. M., Au, W., Leslie, W. D., Martens, P. J., Enns, M. W., Roos, L. L., & Sareen, J. (2013). Parents bereaved by offspring suicide: A population-based longitudinal case-control study. JAMA Psychiatry, 70, 158–167. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2013.275.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bowen, M. (1976). Family reaction to death. In P. J. Guerin (Ed.), Family therapy: Theory and practice (pp. 335–358). New York: Gardner.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowlby, J. (1980). Attachment and loss (Vol. III). New York: Basic Books Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook, A. S. (1995). Ethical issues in bereavement research: An overview. Death Studies, 19, 103–122. doi:10.1080/07481189508252719.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cook, W. L., & Kenny, D. A. (2005). The actor-partner interdependence model: A model of bidirectional effects in developmental studies. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 29, 101–109.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dyregrov, K. (2004). Bereaved parents’ experience of research participation. Social Science and Medicine, 58, 391–400. doi:10.1016/S0277-9536(03)00205-3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dyregrov, A., & Gjestad, R. (2011). Sexuality following the loss of a child. Death Studies, 35, 289–315. doi:10.1080/07481187.2010.527753.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eilegård, A., & Kreicbergs, U. (2010). Risk of parental dissolution of partnership following the loss of a child to cancer: A population-based long-term follow-up. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 164, 100–101. doi:10.1001/archpediatrics.2009.247.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Essakow, K. L., & Miller, M. M. (2013). Piecing together the shattered heirloom: Parents’ experiences of relationship resilience after the violent death of a child. American Journal of Family Therapy, 41, 299–310. doi:10.1080/01926187.2012.701590.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, K. R. (1989). Interactive grief and coping in the marital dyad. Death Studies, 13, 605–626. doi:10.1080/07481188908252336.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hooghe, A., Mol, J. D., Baetens, I., & Zech, E. (2013). The measurement of couple and family interactions and relationship quality in bereavement research. Family Science, 4, 66–78. doi:10.1080/19424620.2013.821761.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hooghe, A., Neimeyer, R. A., & Rober, P. (2011). The complexity of couple communication in bereavement: An illustrative case study. Death Studies, 35, 905–924. doi:10.1080/07481187.2011.55335.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jack, L, Jr, Hayes, S. C., Scharalda, J. G., Stetson, B., Jones-Jack, N. H., Valliere, M., et al. (2010). Appraising quantitative research in health education: Guidelines for public health educators. Health Promotion Practice, 11, 161–165. doi:10.1177/1524839909353023.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kamm, S., & Vandenberg, B. (2001). Grief communication, grief reactions and marital satisfaction in bereaved parents. Death Studies, 25, 569–582. doi:10.1080/07481180126576.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Klass, D. (1986). -87). Marriage and divorce among bereaved parents in a self-help group. Omega, 17, 237–249. doi:10.2190/T8L3-UVD8-J2RD-TLLB.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuper, A., Lorelei, L., & Levinson, W. (2008). Critically appraising qualitative research. British Medical Journal, 337, 1035–1035. doi:10.1136/bmj.a1035.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laakso, H., & Paunonen-Ilmonen, M. (2002). Mothers’ experience of social support following the death of a child. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 11, 176–185. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2702.2002.00611.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lang, A., & Gottlieb, L. (1993). Parental grief reactions and marital intimacy following infant death. Death Studies, 17, 233–255. doi:10.1080/07481189308252620.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lyngstad, T. H. (2013). Bereavement and divorce: Does the death of a child affect parents’ marital stability? Family Science, 4, 79–86. doi:10.1080/19424620.2013.821762.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, S. A., Johnson, L. C., & Lohan, J. (2003a). Finding meaning in a child’s violent death: A five year prospective analysis of parents’ personal narratives and empirical data. Death Studies, 27, 381–404. doi:10.1080/07481180302879.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, S. A., Johnson, L. C., Wu, L., Fan, J. J., & Lohan, J. (2003b). Bereaved parents’ outcomes 4 to 60 months after their children’s death by accident, suicide, or homicide: A comparative study demonstrating differences. Death Studies, 27, 39–61. doi:10.1080/07481180302871.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools, (2008). Quality assessment tool for quantitative studies. Hamilton, ON: McMaster University. Retrieved February 5, 2014, from http://www.nccmt.ca/registry/view/eng/14.html.

  • Neimeyer, R. A. (Ed.). (2001). Meaning reconstruction and the experience of loss. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliver, L. E. (1999). Effects of a child’s death on the marital relationship: A review. Omega: Journal of Death and Dying, 39, 197–227. doi:10.2190/1L3J-42VC-BE4H-LFVU.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paley, N. (2008). Partners in grief: Couples’ narratives of the transition from pediatric palliative care into bereavement. Unpublished doctoral thesis, British Columbia University, Vancouver, Canada.

  • Polatinsky, S., & Esprey, Y. (2000). An assessment of gender differences in the perception of benefit resulting from the loss of a child. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 13, 709–718. doi:10.1023/A:1007870419116.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rando, T. A. (2000). Clinical dimensions of anticipatory mourning: Theory and practice in working with the dying, their loved ones, and their caregivers. Champaign, IL: Research Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reilly-Smorawski, B., Armstrong, A. V., & Catlin, E. A. (2002). Bereavement support for couples following the death of a baby: Program development and 14-year exit analysis. Death Studies, 26, 21–37. doi:10.1080/07481180210145.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rellias, B. U. (2001). The trauma of the sudden death of a child: The impact on couple relationship. Unpublished doctoral thesis, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda.

  • Rogers, C. H. (2005). The effect of the death of a child on midlife mental and physical health: An exploration of risk and resilience factors. Unpublished doctoral thesis, Georgia State University, Atlanta.

  • Rogers, C. H., Floyd, F. J., Seltzer, M. M., Greenberg, J., & Hong, J. (2008). Long-term effects of the death of a child on parents’ adjustment in midlife. Journal of Family Psychology, 22, 203–211. doi:10.1037/0893-3200.22.2.203.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenblatt, P. C. (2000). Parent grief: Narratives of loss and relationship. Philadelphia, PA: Taylor & Francis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenblatt, P. C. (2013). Family grief in cross-cultural perspective. Family Science, 4, 12–19. doi:10.1080/19424620.2013.819226.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwab, R. (1992). Effects of a child’s death on the marital relationship: A preliminary study. Death Studies, 16, 141–154. doi:10.1080/07481189208252564.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwab, R. (1998). A child’s death and divorce: Dispelling the myth. Death Studies, 22, 445–468. doi:10.1080/074811898201452.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro, E. R. (2001). Grief in interpersonal perspective: Theories and their implications. In M. S. Stroebe, R. O. Hansson, W. Stroebe, & H. Schut (Eds.), Handbook of bereavement research: Consequences, coping, and care (pp. 301–327). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Song, J., Floyd, F. J., Seltzer, M. M., Greenberg, J. S., & Hong, J. (2010). Long-term effects of child death on parents’ health-related quality of life: A dyadic analysis. Family Relations, 59, 269–282. doi:10.1111/j.1741-3729.2010.00601.x.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Stroebe, M., Finkenauer, C., Wijngaards-de Meij, L., Schut, H., van den Bout, J., & Stroebe, W. (2013a). Partner-oriented self-regulation among bereaved parents: The costs of holding in grief for the partner’s sake. Psychological Science, 24, 395–402. doi:10.1177/0956797612457383.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stroebe, M., Schut, H., & Finkenauer, C. (2013b). Parents coping with the death of their child: From individual to interpersonal to interactive perspectives. Family Science, 4, 28–36. doi:10.1080/19424620.2013.819229.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stroebe, M., Stroebe, W., & Schut, H. (2003). Bereavement research: Methodological issues and ethical concerns. Palliative Medicine, 17, 235–240. doi:10.1191/0269216303pm768rr.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Titus, B., & Souza, R. (2011). Finding meaning in the loss of a child: Journeys of chaos and quest. Health Communication, 26, 450–460. doi:10.1080/10410236.2011.554167.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Toller, P., & Braithwaite, D. O. (2009). Grieving together and apart: Bereaved parents’ contradictions of marital interaction. Journal of Applied Communication Research, 37, 257–277. doi:10.1080/00909880903025887.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tong, A., Sainsbury, P., & Craig, J. (2007). Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): A 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups. International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 19, 349–357. doi:10.1093/intqhc/mzm042.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ungureanu, I., & Sandberg, J. G. (2010). “Broken Together”: Spirituality and religion as coping strategies for couples dealing with the death of a child: A literature review with clinical implications. Contemporary Family Therapy, 32, 302–319. doi:10.1007/s10591-010-9120-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vollbehr, A. S. (2011). The effect of (in)congruent grieving and grief intervention on marital satisfaction in bereaved parents. Unpublished doctoral thesis, Utrecht University & York University, Toronto, Canada.

  • Wallerstedt, C., Lilley, M., & Baldwin, K. (2003). Interconceptional counseling after perinatal and infant loss. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 32, 533–542. doi:10.1177/0884217503255264.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Walsh, F., & McGoldrick, M. (2004). When a family deals with loss: Adaptational challenges, risk, and resilience. In D. R. Catherall (Ed.), Handbook of stress, trauma, and the family (pp. 393–415). New York: Brunner-Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wheeler, I. (2001). Parental bereavement: The crisis of meaning. Death Studies, 25, 51–66. doi:10.1080/07481180126147.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wijngaards-de Meij, L., Stroebe, M., Schut, H., Stroebe, W., van den Bout, J., van der Heijden, P. G. M., & Dijkstra, I. (2005). Couples at risk following the death of their child: Predictors of grief versus depression. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 73, 617–623. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.73.4.617.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wijngaards-de Meij, L., Stroebe, M., Schut, H., Stroebe, W., van den Bout, J., van der Heijden, P. G. M., & Dijkstra, I. (2007). Patterns of attachment and parents’ adjustment to the death of their child. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 33, 537–548. doi:10.1177/0146167206297400.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wijngaards-de Meij, L., Stroebe, M., Schut, H., Stroebe, W., van den Bout, J., van der Heijden, P. G. M., & Dijkstra, I. (2008). Parents grieving the loss of their child: Interdependence in coping. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 47, 31–42. doi:10.1348/014466507X21615.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wing, D. G., Burge-Calloway, K., Clance, P. R., & Armistead, L. (2001). Understanding gender differences in bereavement following the death of a child: Implications for treatment. Psychotherapy: Theory Research, Practice, Training, 38, 60–72. doi:10.1037/0033-3204.38.1.60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cognitive and Behavioural Center for Research and Intervention, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

    Sara Albuquerque & Marco Pereira

  2. Research Center in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

    Sara Albuquerque & Isabel Narciso

Authors
  1. Sara Albuquerque
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Marco Pereira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Isabel Narciso
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sara Albuquerque.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (TIFF 43 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Albuquerque, S., Pereira, M. & Narciso, I. Couple’s Relationship After the Death of a Child: A Systematic Review. J Child Fam Stud 25, 30–53 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-015-0219-2

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-015-0219-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation