Bereaved Parents’ Strategies and Reactions When Supporting Their Surviving Children

Abstract

Bereaved parent–child communication and support can significantly affect surviving children's well-being and family functioning, yet offering support may be difficult for bereaved parents amidst their own distress. This study investigates parents’ strategies and reactions when supporting their surviving children following a child's death. The results from 11 in-depth interviews outline bereaved parents’ support strategies (e.g., direct conversation, concealment, sharing space and time, enabling outside communication, commemoration) and positive and negative reactions. This study focused on support from the provider perspective, so implications for parental support and grief processes are discussed. Practical considerations for supporting surviving children are explored.

Keywords:

• Grief Support
• Matching Hypothesis
• Parental Bereavement
• Sibling Bereavement
• Supportive Communication

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kelly R. Rossetto

Kelly R. Rossetto is an Assistant Professor in the Communication Department at Boston College.