Coping with the ultimate deprivation: Narrative themes in a parental bereavement support group

Laura Umphrey, Joanne Cacciatore

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    26 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Support groups are often used to help individuals cope with challenging and unusual life circumstances through narration. Yet, little is known about specific meta-communication within a support group setting and in what ways these interactions may benefit participants. This study uncovers narrative themes that were expressed during a series of support group meetings specific to bereaved parents. Three central narratives were revealed in the analysis including the death story narrative, coping/negotiating narrative, and connecting through communication with others narrative. This research underscores the vital outlet that the support group serves for participants and the communicative means by which subjective healing can occur.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)141-160
    Number of pages20
    JournalOmega: Journal of Death and Dying
    Volume63
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Jan 1 2011

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Health(social science)
    • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine
    • Life-span and Life-course Studies

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