The Impact of Parental Bereavement on Young People: A Thematic Analysis of Using Online Web Forums as a Method of Coping

Smith, K.C.P.; Langer, Susanne

doi:10.1177/00302228211024017

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…Activities, such as those engaged in during residential weekends [ 50 , 51 ], running, martial arts [ 10 ] and extra-curricular activities [ 52 ], have been used to support young people who have experienced the death of a parent. Further, the use of online forums has shown promise, allowing young people to positively support each other following the death of a parent [ 53 ]. Expressive writing has also shown benefits for traumatic grief in adolescents who have been bereaved by war [ 54 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reflections on Experiencing Parental Bereavement as a Young Person: A Retrospective Qualitative Study

Chater

Howlett

Shorter

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Background: It is estimated that approximately 41,000 children and young people experience the death of a parent each year. Grief responses, such as anxiety and depression, can follow. This research investigated the adult reflections of experiencing parental death as a young person. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with adults (N = 14; female n = 8) who experienced parental death as a young person, which occurred over 5 years ago (time since death, M = 12.9 years; age at death, M = 16.4 years; age at interview, M = 30.9 years). The data were analysed inductively using thematic analysis. Results: Seven themes revealed that parental bereavement can lead to (1) “Distance and isolation” and is an (2) “Emotional journey” with (3) a “Physical impact”. Many experienced (4) “Post-traumatic growth” but acknowledged that (5) “Life will never be the same”, highlighting the importance of (6) “Support and understanding” and triggers for (7) “Re-grief”. Conclusions: Parental bereavement has significant emotional and physical consequences, but can also lead to personal growth. Talking therapies were rarely accessed, often due to a lack of awareness or desire to engage, revealing a translational gap between existing support services and uptake. Enabling open conversations about grief and identifying suitable support is a public health priority. This need has been amplified since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, which may be a trigger for grief empathy and re-grief in those who have already been bereaved.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reflections on Experiencing Parental Bereavement as a Young Person: A Retrospective Qualitative Study

Chater

Howlett

Shorter

et al. 2022

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Based on these research findings, young people use social media to maintain friendships and seek support during difficult times, with boys benefiting more from these platforms, particularly because of challenges in expressing their emotions (Smith & Langer, 2023). The initial days of social networking allowed for more online conversations, which appealed to both males and females who had difficulty with face-to-face communication.…”

Section: Gender Usage Dynamics Of Social Media Among Studentsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…The initial days of social networking allowed for more online conversations, which appealed to both males and females who had difficulty with face-to-face communication. The increasing popularity of social networking sites has contributed to the growing societal impact of the issues associated with their use (Smith & Langer, 2023).…”

Section: Gender Usage Dynamics Of Social Media Among Studentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of social media on students of second-cycle institutions in Tamale and its implications

Mohammed,

Philip,

Labaran

2024

Journal of Social, Humanity, and Education

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Purpose: This study investigated the influence of social media on students in second-cycle institutions in Tamale. It concentrates on its relationship with academic performance, learning ability, writing skills, and gender disparities in usage patterns. Methodology/approach: A purposive sample method was employed to select 150 students from secondary schools in Tamale. Data were collected through surveys and interviews using both qualitative and quantitative approaches to explore how social media affects students’ academic experiences. Results/Findings: Findings from this study indicate that the use of social media has a significant impact on students’ learning abilities, writing skills, and academic performance. A significant number of learners reported becoming distracted with reduced concentration because they spent excessive time on the sites, leading to possible health challenges and a sedentary lifestyle. The results also indicated that gender differences exist in social media usage patterns, among others, which affect school performance. Limitations: One limitation of this research is that it had a small sample size and may not represent all students found within second-cycle institutions. This further implies that this research is constrained to a particular geographical area, limiting its generalizability. Contribution: This study contributes to the understanding of how social media influences students in second-cycle institutions, highlighting the need for educators and policymakers to establish guidelines for responsible social media use to enhance academic success and mitigate its negative impacts.

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A rapid review of the evidence for online interventions for bereavement support

Finucane,

Canny,

Mair

et al. 2024

Palliat Med

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Background: Grieving is a natural process, and many people adjust with support from family and friends. Around 40% of people would benefit from additional input. Online bereavement support interventions may increase access to support. Evidence regarding their acceptability and effectiveness is emerging but needs to be synthesised. Aim: To synthesise evidence on the feasibility, acceptability, effectiveness, impacts and implementation of online interventions to improve wellbeing, coping and quality of life after bereavement. Design: A rapid review of evidence regarding online bereavement support. We appraised study quality using AMSTAR 2 and the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Data sources: English language articles published 1 January 2010 to 4 January 2024, using Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase and APA PsycINFO. Eligible articles examined formal and informal online interventions to improve bereavement outcomes. Results: We screened 2050 articles by title and abstract. Four systematic reviews and 35 individual studies were included. Online bereavement support was feasible, acceptable and effective in reducing grief intensity, stress-related outcomes and depression. Where reported, participant retention was typically >70%. Positive impacts included: access to a supportive community at any time, reduced isolation; opportunities to process feelings; normalisation of loss responses; access to coping advice and opportunities for meaning-making and remembrance. Negative impacts included upset due to insensitive comments from others via unmoderated online forums. Conclusion: Online interventions can widen access to acceptable, effective bereavement support and improve outcomes for bereaved people. National policies and clinical guidelines relating to bereavement support need to be updated to take account of online formats.

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The Impact of Parental Bereavement on Young People: A Thematic Analysis of Using Online Web Forums as a Method of Coping

Cited by 3 publications

References 65 publications

Reflections on Experiencing Parental Bereavement as a Young Person: A Retrospective Qualitative Study

Reflections on Experiencing Parental Bereavement as a Young Person: A Retrospective Qualitative Study

The influence of social media on students of second-cycle institutions in Tamale and its implications

A rapid review of the evidence for online interventions for bereavement support

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