No abstract

There is evidence of the value of individual creative arts (art, drama, music, etc.) in helping people to cope with bereavement. However, there is a gap in the research on the effectiveness of the intentional, combined use of creative arts activities in bereavement support group intervention for adults. This article describes an exploratory study which assessed the effectiveness of using creative arts activities in an eight session support group intervention. A waiting list, randomized control trial supplemented by limited qualitative data was used. Evidence was found that the intervention did help participants' ability to move between loss and restoration coping when they attended at least six of the eight sessions. However, the use of creative arts activities appears to be more suitable for some people than for others.

This paper describes the rationale for developing a psycho-educational group about supporting bereaved children. The group is for surviving parents following the death of their partner. As social workers in a specialist palliative care setting, we noticed a similarity in the concerns and questions raised by the surviving parents the social work team met with. It is broadly recognised that there are distinct difficulties for children losing a parent and caregiver, as this is often the person that previously was central in the provision of love, security and daily care. It is well documented that the adjustment of the surviving caregiver and the quality of care received by the child after the loss, are substantially related to how children cope (The Harvard Child Bereavement Study, 1996). Studies revealed that when parents are supported, they can demonstrate an enhanced capacity to support their children. The group provided guidance on how to support their bereaved children. The importance of creating a support network for families by connecting them with others who have experienced similar events is well documented in the literature and was also a significant rationale for developing the programme. Keywords: parental death; childhood bereavement; surviving parent; psycho-educational group