Abstract
A traumatic life event such as the death of a child can be very devastating and confusing for many couples and people tend to respond in different ways to such trauma due to different factors such as gender differences. Research studies have traditionally focused on the personal effects of trauma on individual family members, whereas less attention centered on the systemic outcomes and consequences that trauma has on family functioning especially from the couples' perspective. Previous research has indicated that parents who lost their children to sudden death are likely to have serious mental distress and some disruption in functioning. However, there remains an important gap in the current literature regarding the causes and outcomes of interpersonal and relational issues that confront a couple dealing with such trauma. The purpose of this qualitative study is to examine the adjustments that may occur in couple relationships following the sudden death of a child. Findings from this study revealed that strategies used by participants (individually and as couples) when dealing with the sudden death of a child contributed to their relationships becoming stronger or deteriorating following the loss. These findings would be an important contribution not only to the existing literature but in conceptualizing, diagnosing, and implementing interventions with bereaved parents.
LLU Discipline
Marital and Family Therapy
Department
Counseling and Family Sciences
School
School of Science and Technology
First Advisor
Wilson, Colwick
Second Advisor
Chand, Ian P.
Third Advisor
Galbraith, Michael E.
Fourth Advisor
Huenegardt, Doug
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Degree Level
Ph.D.
Year Degree Awarded
January 2011
Date (Title Page)
12-1-2011
Language
English
Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings
Death, Sudden; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Parents -- Psychology; Social Medicine; Grounded Theory; Couples Therapy; Marital Therapy
Subject - Local
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome; Post-traumatic Stress Disorder; Grounded Theory; Family of Origin; Relationships; Sudden Death; Bereavement
Type
Dissertation
Page Count
167 p.
Digital Format
Application/PDF
Digital Publisher
Loma Linda University Libraries
Copyright
Author
Usage Rights
This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.
Recommended Citation
Okoro Rellias, Blessing, "Trauma of the Sudden Death of a Child: The Impact on Couple Relationship" (2011). Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects. 50.
https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/50
Collection
Loma Linda University Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Collection Website
http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/
Repository
Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives