Citation

Johnson CM. Omega (Westport) 2010; 61(2): 121-143.

Affiliation

The Center for Social Work Education, Widener University, Chester, PA 19013-5792, USA. cmjohnson1@widener.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Sage Publications)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

20712140

Abstract

Few studies have examined the bereavement experiences of African-American teen girls who have mourned the loss of friends due to homicide. This qualitative study examined such bereavement experiences with a sample of 20 African-American teen girls, ages 16-19, living in a large northeastern U.S. city. Meaning making, adolescent developmental theory, ideas regarding traumatic loss, and resilience provided a framework to understand how these teens coped with the tragic loss of a friend. The teen girls in this study demonstrated resilience in their ability to adequately "move on" with their lives. They remained achievement oriented and sustained meaningful relationships with family, valued friends, and others. Early, metaphysical, and motivational meaning constructions contributed to the teens' resilience.

Language: en