Fathers' Perspectives of Bereavement Support

Area of Science:

• Palliative Care
• Bereavement Studies
• Men's Health

Background:

• Bereavement support is a standard in palliative care.
• Research on supportive care for fathers experiencing child loss is limited.
• Fathers' unique needs in bereavement require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the lived bereavement experience of fathers who lost a child.
• To illuminate fathers' needs for bereavement support.
• To gather fathers' recommendations for improving supportive care.

Main Methods:

• Phenomenological study design.
• In-depth interviews with eleven fathers from the US and Canada.
• Qualitative analysis of fathers' lived experiences and support needs.

Main Results:

• Fathers reported a significant need for bereavement support.
• Access to support was perceived as limited and difficult.
• Fathers expressed interest in peer support groups and professional counseling.
• Participants provided actionable recommendations for healthcare professionals.

Conclusions:

• Fathers' voices are crucial for understanding effective bereavement support.
• Improving access to and tailoring support for bereaved fathers is essential in palliative care.
• Findings contribute to advancing the science of bereavement care for fathers.