“…A study describing siblings' emotional reactions found that they experienced confusion, shock, shame, hopelessness, anxiety, sadness, and anger (Clark, Warburton, & Tilse, 2009). Feelings of anger were also described in four other studies (Holmes, 2008;Nen, Alavi, Ibrahim, Hoesni, & Sarnon, 2013;Parr, Stevenson, & Woolnough, 2016;Von Suhr, 2003). However, in contrast to when the disappearance was forced (wherein anger was largely directed toward society, the government or the military), anger in the context of an unclear disappearance tended to be directed toward either the person missing (e.g., for having left without explanation), authorities in charge of managing the situation (e.g., at perceived lack of response), or toward others for expressing the idea that those left behind should move on (Von Suhr, 2003).…”
Section: Psychological Responses To Disappearance Due To Unclear CIsupporting
confidence: 55%
“…Continuing a bond with the missing person was identified as a coping mechanism in four studies. A variety of symbolic rituals aimed at preserving the persons' presence were described, including visiting places of significance to feel connected (Clark et al, ), continuing to send text messages (Parr et al, ), wearing the person's clothing (Von Suhr, ), and placing photographs around in attempt to maintain their presence (Holmes, ). Maintaining hope was also identified as a coping strategy ( n = 2).…”
Objective
This review explored psychological responses and coping among loved ones left behind when a person is missing.
Method
A systematic search identified 42 studies that reported data gathered among people with a missing loved one regarding psychological symptoms and/or coping strategies. Studies were arranged according to context of disappearance: forced (a result of war/conflict, abduction, forced separation) or unclear (reason unknown)/unspecified circumstances.
Results
The most consistent findings for psychological symptoms were reports of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and prolonged grief reactions. When the disappearance was unclear/unspecified, people more often reported use of cognitive avoidance and continuing a bond as coping strategies. When the disappearance was forced, people more often reported use of informal support seeking.
Conclusions
Further research is warranted to clarify (a) the generalizability of findings to those left behind under circumstances where the ambiguity may be greater and (b) the acceptability of various targeted psychological interventions.
“…A study describing siblings' emotional reactions found that they experienced confusion, shock, shame, hopelessness, anxiety, sadness, and anger (Clark, Warburton, & Tilse, 2009). Feelings of anger were also described in four other studies (Holmes, 2008;Nen, Alavi, Ibrahim, Hoesni, & Sarnon, 2013;Parr, Stevenson, & Woolnough, 2016;Von Suhr, 2003). However, in contrast to when the disappearance was forced (wherein anger was largely directed toward society, the government or the military), anger in the context of an unclear disappearance tended to be directed toward either the person missing (e.g., for having left without explanation), authorities in charge of managing the situation (e.g., at perceived lack of response), or toward others for expressing the idea that those left behind should move on (Von Suhr, 2003).…”
Section: Psychological Responses To Disappearance Due To Unclear CIsupporting
confidence: 55%
“…Continuing a bond with the missing person was identified as a coping mechanism in four studies. A variety of symbolic rituals aimed at preserving the persons' presence were described, including visiting places of significance to feel connected (Clark et al, ), continuing to send text messages (Parr et al, ), wearing the person's clothing (Von Suhr, ), and placing photographs around in attempt to maintain their presence (Holmes, ). Maintaining hope was also identified as a coping strategy ( n = 2).…”
Objective
This review explored psychological responses and coping among loved ones left behind when a person is missing.
Method
A systematic search identified 42 studies that reported data gathered among people with a missing loved one regarding psychological symptoms and/or coping strategies. Studies were arranged according to context of disappearance: forced (a result of war/conflict, abduction, forced separation) or unclear (reason unknown)/unspecified circumstances.
Results
The most consistent findings for psychological symptoms were reports of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and prolonged grief reactions. When the disappearance was unclear/unspecified, people more often reported use of cognitive avoidance and continuing a bond as coping strategies. When the disappearance was forced, people more often reported use of informal support seeking.
Conclusions
Further research is warranted to clarify (a) the generalizability of findings to those left behind under circumstances where the ambiguity may be greater and (b) the acceptability of various targeted psychological interventions.
“…There is a large discourse worldwide on missing people (including children) (Best, , , ; Boss, , , 2008; Gair & Moloney, ; Gattas, Figaro‐Garcia, Landini, & Estes, ; Fritz & Altheide, ; Holmes, ; Min & Feaster, ; Parr & Fyfe, ; Parr & Stevenson, ; Parr, Stevenson, Fyfe, & Woolnough, ; Parr, Stevenson, & Woolnough, ). Gair and Moloney (, p. 90) define a missing person as “someone whose whereabouts are unknown and fears exist for the safety and welfare of that person” (Parr & Fyfe, ; Parr & Stevenson, , ; Parr, Stevenson, Fyfe et al., ; Parr, Stevenson, & Woolnough, ). In the Anglo‐American context, the phrase “missing children” denotes:…three familiar phenomena: runaways (children—most often adolescents—who chose to leave home and usually returned within a few days); child‐snatching (non‐custodial parents who illegally took their own children without the custodial parent's permission); and abductions by strangers (who might keep, sell, ransom, molest or kill the child) (Best, ; p. 103; Best, , ; Min & Feaster, ).…”
The sociologies of India's missing children merit spatial and contextual examination. The sociological space into which a child goes missing is highly under‐researched in India. Building on overarching narratives emerging from secondary sources and existing literature on Indian children's vulnerability and precarity, the article aims to evaluate the landscape of missing children. The analyses suggest that a number of interconnected sociologies contribute to the phenomenon of missing children – these children are mainly from the poorer backgrounds, who are kidnapped, trafficked, or lured largely for social, commercial, and sexual exploitation. This research was conducted to gain a deeper understanding into the problem of missing children in order to address the gaps that require intervention.
“…The patients cannot speak for themselves. The family is invariably struck by a combination of hope, grief, and uncertainty, and sometimes feelings of guilt and anger, that parallels the emotions relatives experience in missing person cases . This further aggravates the already complex task of speaking on behalf of a loved one.…”
Section: End‐of‐life Scenarios In Deceased Vegetative State/unresponsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…The family is invariably struck by a combination of hope, grief, and uncertainty, and sometimes feelings of guilt and anger, that parallels the emotions relatives experience in missing person cases. 44 This further aggravates the already complex task of speaking on behalf of a loved one. Shared decision-making takes time and skill, especially in prolonged disorders of consciousness, 10,13,28,29,45,46 and requires adequate psychosocial guidance of the patient's family.…”
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