Exploring the Grief of Adolescents After the Death of a Parent

Abstract

ExtractThis study explored the grief of 26 adolescents after the death of a parent during the subjects' adolescent years. Data collection involved a one-time semi-structured interview. In addition, the adolescents were asked to write and draw about death. The study identified variables and themes that appeared to have possible significance for how adolescents coped. The study conclusions were that adolescents do grieve differently from children and differently from adults younger adolescents even grieve differently from older adolescents. No discernible differences in grieving were ascertained on the basis of sex, type of death, or prior loss experiences. The one adolescent who

Keywords

• adolescent
• mourning
• death
• qualitative stiudy