Giving sorrow words: the experience of bereavement in the pre-school years: a phenomenological study

Increasingly, hundreds of thousands of children under the age of seven are experiencing the death of their parents in South Africa. Scholarly debate pertaining to childhood bereavement has been and continues to be an arena lacking in clarity, particularly with respect to how this experience impacts upon the young child. To this end, this inquiry attempts to capture an in-depth understanding of this experience and stimulate awareness regarding the needs of bereaved children. Through a phenomenological approach this investigation focuses specifically on the personal experience of six children who experienced the death of a parent during their pre-school years, in the context of a group format. An aspect of the inquiry explores the debate around intervention and service provision for bereaved children. Six core themes are derived which reflect perceptions of this loss. The value of a phenomenological approach with relevance to the study of early bereavement is illuminated. Some limitations of this study are recognized and suggestions for future research are proposed. Based on the insights gleaned through this study, implications are brought to the fore that pertain to the general experience of parental bereavement and service delivery, with particular regard to the context of South Africa.

Author dc:creator

• Ferrer, Lynne

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Edwards, S.D.

• Bereavement
• Bereaved children.

Licence

• https://devspace.unizulu.ac.za/bitstreams/d6956f9b-eedb-4967-96c4-e9a5eb1f32a0/download