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Updated: Sep 17, 2025

Assessing the Coherence of Parents' Short Narratives Regarding their Child Using the Five-Minute Speech Sample Procedure
Published on: September 19, 2019
Exploring a Collective Grief Experience in the U.S.: Qualitative Findings From Older Parents Whose Only Child Has
Yongqiang Zheng1, Leslie G Wuest1, Jeongah Kim1
1Department of Social Work, George Fox University, Newberg, OR, USA.
Abstract:
Despite its profound physical and mental health impacts, research on the loss of an only child in later life among older U.S. adults remains scarce. This phenomenological qualitative study explores the lived experiences and meanings older bereaved parents attribute to their loss. Data from 24 participants were collected through written narratives guided by structured questions, and online focus groups. Inductive thematic analysis revealed 6 themes: the enduring intensity of grief, significant secondary losses, feelings of isolation and alienation, the role of social support in coping, and spirituality and religion's influence on their journey. By amplifying these parents' voices, the study lays a foundation for understanding their unique grief and underscores the gaps in U.S. policy and mental health services. These findings deepen insight into an understudied population, highlighting the need for enhanced resources for older bereaved parents.
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