Family resilience when coping with death: parent and child perspectives

Abstract

The effect the death of a family member had on individual family members and the family as a whole was explored in the framework of coping and the development of resilience. Participants were from ten families, 15 children and adolescents aged 8-16, and 13 adults. Data were collected by interview using semi-structured questionnaires consisting of four quantitative measures and a number of qualitative questions. Children, adolescents, and parents were interviewed separately when possible. Quantitative measures assessed family environment, coping strategies utilised, and participant's general physical and psychological health and wellbeing. Children's and adolescents' perceptions of their personal strengths were also assessed, as were the parents' perceptions of their own quality of life. Qualitative questions were related to six domains; these were communication, support, coping, changes, difficulties, and activities. Each participant was also asked for their perspective on how they viewed their parent/child as coping with the death. A Grounded Theory approach was used when analysing the qualitative data. Parents were viewed as coping slightly less well than other family members and the families as a whole, by both themselves and their children. All participants used a number of strategies to assist their coping. These included talking about their loss with others, observing positive coping behaviour in their family, seeking support, having time alone, using cognitive strategies, and being involved in various pastimes. It was evident that the death and circumstances arising in its aftermath had a negative impact on the physical and psychological health of several parents and as a result they found coping more difficult. Poor parental health also had a substantive effect on the coping ability of children. Overall, the findings indicated that all families were coping reasonably well with the death and most participants identified personal and family strengths that had emerged since the death, contributing to the development of family resilience.