Parent–child triangles and family loyalties as psychological arenas of grief manifestation among adults who lost a parent at a young age

S. Shorer, Mahat Shamir M

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The current qualitative interpretative phenomenological study explored the intricate experiences of Israeli adults who lost a parent during childhood and subsequently navigated the challenges of adapting to a stepfamily dynamic. Through semistructured interviews, nine participants revealed three key themes: “Unbreakable Bonds: Loyalty to the Deceased Parent,” illustrating efforts to preserve the original family structure amid changes; “Replacement Bonds: Loyalty to the New Parent,” depicting the loyalty conflicts arising when connecting with a stepparent; and “Harmonic Bonds: Loyalties to All Three Parents,” showcasing instances in which bereaved children successfully maintained connections with their deceased parent while forming meaningful relationships with their stepparent and living biological parent. The study findings informed a model elucidating the dialectical stance family members may adopt in response to such complexities. The model emphasizes the prioritization of orphaned children’s emotional needs in a pyramid-shaped family structure, in which the psychological presence of the deceased parent remains integral.

Original languageEnglish
JournalDeath Studies
Early online date6 May 2024
DOIs
StateE-pub ahead of print - 6 May 2024
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

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