Coping with loss: the development and evaluation of a children's bereavement project

Peer-group support for bereaved children: a qualitative interview study

BACKGROUND

  While it has been shown that bereaved children can experience emotional or behavioural problems, the evidence is inconclusive regarding which children would benefit from support and the kind of support to offer. This study aimed to obtain children's and parents' views on their experiences following bereavement and the usefulness of a peer-group support programme.

METHOD

  Thirty-nine families who had attended a community-based peer-group bereavement support programme within the previous 4 years were approached. Of the 23 with confirmed contact details, 17 agreed to participate. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 23 children (range 8 to 17 years) and 17 parents.

RESULTS

  Children were concerned about isolation from peers and emphasized the value of meeting other children with experiences of bereavement in the group. Parents were concerned about lack of communication within the home about the bereavement, which continued after the group. Most children and parents would have liked more support, either more groups or an ongoing link.

CONCLUSIONS

  Referral to peer-group support may have the potential to improve bereaved children experiencing feelings of social isolation and help them develop coping strategies. Other family-focused support may also be needed for some children.

A developmental psychopathology framework of the psychosocial needs of children orphaned by HIV

In addition to the obstacles to a successful resolution of grief normally faced by children whose parents have died, children orphaned by AIDS may face additional psychological and social challenges. However, limited attention has been paid to psychosocial and developmental needs of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS, particularly in resource-poor countries or regions. In this article the authors review the global literature on child bereavement and AIDS orphan care experiences in developing countries and present a developmental psychopathology model of the psychosocial issues facing AIDS orphans. The authors identify gaps in the literature and provide suggestions for future research on AIDS orphans in resource-poor countries and regions. They emphasize that future studies need to assess the status of behaviors and mental health of children orphaned by AIDS within a developmental framework, identify those individual and social factors associated with grief, and examine the long-term impact of quality of care, developmental maturation, and attachment with caregivers on the psychosocial well-being of AIDS orphans.

Do community-based support services benefit bereaved children? A review of empirical evidence

AIMS

To consider the evidence of effect from English language, empirically based quantitative evaluations of community-based interventions for bereaved children; community-based interventions being understood as those taking place outside a clinical setting.

METHODS

MedLine, PsychInfo, Applied Social Sciences Index and Sociological Abstracts were searched for documents containing the words 'child', 'bereavement' and 'program', 'group', 'intervention', 'support' or 'evaluation'. The criterion for inclusion was that studies use a control group or pre- and post-test measurements using a standardized instrument.

RESULTS

Nine relevant studies were identified. However, empirical evidence of positive outcomes for children was limited and compromised by methodological weaknesses in the design of the studies. Small sample sizes, irregular attendance, high levels of attrition, short time scales between pre- and post-testing and difficulty in developing appropriate instrumentation, including assessment of adherence to the agreed intervention programme, all created problems.

CONCLUSIONS

The case for universal inclusion of this group of children in such support programmes remains unproven, and further exploration of the outcomes of a range of different community interventions is required, with a specific focus on long-term and/or unwanted effects and evaluation of the basis for referral.

Bereavement education for childcare professionals

Bereavement is a stressor that affects not only the child but also the whole family. Children need time and support to come to terms with their grief. Current evidence suggests that professionals feel ill equipped to deal with these issues. Inter-professional, multi-agency collaboration and support can provide effective, integrated and supportive services. A 12-day modular course was developed within the Exeter Community Trust and accredited by the University of Plymouth.