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Memory keepers: a narrative study on siblings never known.

Diane Kempson1, Vicki Murdock2

  • 1Division of Social Work, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82070, USA. dkempson@uwyo.edu

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Adult siblings often experience unacknowledged loss for infant siblings they never knew. This study reveals their roles as memory keepers, finding a sense of loss through the research process itself.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Grief Studies
  • Family Studies

Background:

  • Sibling death is a profound loss, yet the impact of losing an infant sibling never known remains largely unexamined.
  • Existing literature focuses on known sibling loss, leaving a gap in understanding the psychological effects of never-known siblings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the lived experiences of adult siblings regarding the psychological impact of an infant sibling who died before they were born or were too young to remember.
  • To investigate the concept of 'invisible loss' and the role of memory keeping in the context of never-known siblings.

Main Methods:

  • A phenomenological study was conducted with 15 adult siblings.
  • In-depth interviews were transcribed and analyzed using NVivo software to identify thematic categories.

Main Results:

  • Three overarching themes emerged: personal loss/unacknowledged loss, continuing bonds/memory keeping, and sense-making.
  • Participants described a psychological presence of their deceased infant sibling and perceived themselves as memory keepers.
  • The research process itself served as a catalyst for recognizing and acknowledging their sense of loss.

Conclusions:

  • The study supports the existence of unaddressed and unacknowledged loss associated with never-known siblings.
  • Adult siblings often adopt roles as memory keepers, maintaining a continuing bond with the unknown sibling.
  • Acknowledging this unique form of grief is crucial for understanding the full spectrum of sibling loss and its long-term psychological impact.