Experiences of african american parents following perinatal or pediatric death: a literature review

Death Stud. 2014 Jul-Dec;38(6-10):374-80. doi: 10.1080/07481187.2013.766656. Epub 2013 Oct 1.

Abstract

A child's death is one of life's most difficult experiences. Little is known about the unique factors that influence the grief experience for bereaved African American parents. Through an integrative review of 10 publications, the authors describe the grief responses, outcomes, and implications for African American parents who experience the death of a child. Four themes emerged: (a) emotional response to loss; (b) factors that added to the burden of loss; (c) coping strategies; and (d) health consequences of grief. Healthcare providers, administrators, and policymakers should be sensitive to the unique needs of African American parents following a child's death.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Attitude to Death
  • Attitude to Health / ethnology*
  • Bereavement*
  • Black or African American / psychology*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Parent-Child Relations
  • Parents / psychology*
  • Perinatal Death*
  • Stillbirth / psychology*