Objective:
To present a synthesis of program improvement evaluations of two approaches to bereavement support for families: (a) weekend family camps providing developmentally targeted grief education and social support for children and parents, and (b) a wait-list control randomized trial of a parent bereavement group intervention.
Method:
Families eligible for camp experienced a child’s death (from any cause) and have surviving children at home. No-cost twice-yearly weekend camps include support sessions and family activities like fishing. After each retreat, parents and children complete an anonymous evaluation. We analyzed forms from 2009–2014 using the constant comparative method to devise a code structure and identify themes to understand camp impact. The second intervention, the bereavement group, included English and Spanish speaking parents of children who died from cancer. They were initially randomized to intervention and wait-list control groups. Intervention included six-weekly sessions of a bereavement program. Participants were invited to a postintervention focus group to better understand reasons for participation, the value of the group, and their support needs.
Results:
Qualitative findings from both groups strongly indicate that bereaved parents have specific ongoing needs that can be addressed through family- or parent-focused interventions. Families identified benefits including being able to openly express feelings with peers who truly understand, gaining an understanding of individual and developmental differences in the grief process, improved mood and coping, and enhanced relationships/communication within their families.
Conclusions:
Bereaved parents, in a subclinical range for mental health concerns, identified the need for ongoing support and benefited from organized peer-support.
Implications for Impact Statement
After the death of a child, even parents who are functioning well have a profound need for ongoing peer support. Regardless of the length of time since the death, discussions with other parents whose child has died gives them a sense of normality, eases suffering, and enhances their interactions with surviving children/family members regardless. Pediatric health institutions have a responsibility to provide a continuum of care to families, including bereavement care.
