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Traumatic childhood death: how well do parents cope?
1Department of Surgery, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
The Journal of Trauma
|August 1, 1995
Summary
Parental grief following traumatic childhood death varies. Uncomplicated grief involves strong support networks, while pathologic grief lacks support and involves avoidance. Caregivers can anticipate outcomes and aid recovery.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Trauma
- Bereavement Studies
- Psychological Grief Research
Background:
- Childhood mortality presents significant challenges for parents.
- Understanding parental grief responses is crucial for effective support.
- Pediatric trauma centers encounter parental bereavement following child death.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effects of traumatic childhood death on parental grieving.
- To identify factors associated with uncomplicated and pathologic grief.
- To provide tools for caregivers to anticipate and manage parental grief recovery.
Main Methods:
- Study conducted with parents of children who died in a pediatric trauma center (1988-1992).
- Interviews conducted by a chaplain in parents' homes.
- Grief assessment utilized Worden's "Mourning Tasks" and Demi and Miles's "Parameters of Normal Grief."
Main Results:
- Grieving was uncomplicated in 7 parents (5 families), characterized by robust support networks and absence of self or divine blame.
- Grieving was pathologic in 22 parents (15 families), marked by limited support, avoidance, and negative perceptions of God.
- Nine indices were developed to help hospital caregivers anticipate grief outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Parental grief following traumatic child death is influenced by support systems and cognitive/spiritual factors.
- Identifying risk factors for pathologic grief allows for timely intervention.
- Physicians can play a vital role in acute and long-term parental grief recovery support.