Date of Graduation
Fall 2020
Degree
Master of Science in Child Life Studies
Department
Childhood Education and Family Studies
Committee Chair
Lindsey Murphy
Abstract
This retrospective, phenomenological study investigated how bereaved siblings believe the death of their brother impacted their development. Through semi-structured interviews, five adults whose brother died during their adolescence discussed how their grief changed over time and the factors that influenced changes in grief. Participants experienced periods of lack of acceptance, independence and isolation, and finding contentment. Factors that influenced changes in grief include sibling’s cause of death, family reaction, establishment of a support network, remembering the deceased, and milestones and dates. These findings provide a glimpse into how grief changes over time in the context of development. Furthermore, the results promote a need for family-centered grief support resources to better aid bereaved siblings.
Keywords
bereavement, child life, sibling, grief, qualitative, retrospective, development
Subject Categories
Community Health | Development Studies | Other Mental and Social Health
Copyright
© Amanda Marie McCarthy
Recommended Citation
McCarthy, Amanda Marie, "Understanding Grief in Adults Whose Sibling Died during Childhood: A Qualitative Study" (2020). MSU Graduate Theses. 3568.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/3568
Open Access
Included in
Community Health Commons, Development Studies Commons, Other Mental and Social Health Commons
