LONG-TERM IMPACT OF SUDDEN INFANT DEATH: A 12- TO 15-YEAR FOLLOW-UP

Abstract

To understand parents' subjective feelings, experiences, and understanding connected to the loss of a child over time, the authors chose semi-structured, in-depth interviews as the method of examination in a study of 26 parents who lost a child to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) between 1981 and 1984. In addition, parents were asked to complete different inventories to compare their present responses (1996) with their responses to the same inventories in 1981-1984. Most parents still viewed the death of their child as affecting their daily life in important ways. Inventory data show that gender differences have diminished 12-15 years after the loss, and few parents are psychologically at risk in 1996. The study clearly shows the benefit of method triangulation in providing a total picture of the parent's experiences.