African American grandmothers parenting AIDS orphans: concomitant grief and loss

Ten urban African American grandmothers participated in a qualitative study using in-depth open-ended interviews to determine if and how the African American cultural experience informed the grieving process and the acceptance of the "off-time" parenting role. The findings do not support the premise that grief resolution requires the bereaved to relinquish all ties to the deceased. The participants maintained strong bonds with the deceased through the conscious decision to remember their unique qualities and through parenting their children, a tradition rooted in the history of the African American family. A spiritual relationship with God was a significant source of strength that enhanced their ability to parent while mourning.