The Phenomenon of Bereaved Parenting: An Integrative Review of Literature

Hurricane-Force Grief: A Mirror of Fathers' Love

A child's death is a traumatic experience that profoundly impacts parents' psychological, physical, and social wellbeing. The literature describes gender differences in grief response associated with child loss, yet less is known about fathers' grief in comparison that of mothers due to fathers' underrepresentation in bereavement research. There is a need for scholarly exploration to advance understanding of fathers' grief. This article presents selected findings on fathers' grief responses that emerged from a larger qualitative study, which aimed to describe fathers' lived experience of bereavement after a child's death. Profound grief emerged as one essential theme of fathers' bereavement experience. Participants described the meaning of their grief, their multidimensional grief responses, their grief triggers, and their grief intensity. Findings deepen understanding of fathers' grief associated with child loss and advance the body of parental bereavement literature.

"Trying to Find North": Fathers Voice the Nature of Their Bereavement

Fathers' lived experience of bereavement is not well understood. This article presents findings from a Heidegerrian phenomenological study, which aimed to describe fathers' bereavement. Fathers' bereavement is a life-long journey along which a father navigates through devastating and traumatic loss with great strength; has profound grief that mirrors the profound love he has for his child; chooses to live life with intention and engages in meaningful activities that create purpose aimed at honoring his child, continuing his child's legacy, and using his own suffering for the good of others; is anchored by a continuing bond of love that fuels an ongoing relationship with his child; and needs a supportive community to sustain him as he travels down the healing road where it is possible to find faith, hope, and love while being forever transformed by loss. Findings amplify fathers' voice so nurses gain a deeper understanding of their experience.