Citation

Lenferink LIM, de Keijser J, Piersma E, Boelen PA. Death Stud. 2018; 42(6): 346-355.

Affiliation

Arq Psychotrauma Expert Group , Diemen , The Netherlands.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07481187.2017.1347213

PMID

28665191

Abstract

Twenty-three nonclinical relatives of long-term missing persons were interviewed. Patterns of functioning over time were studied retrospectively by instructing participants to draw a graph that best described their pattern. Patterns most frequently drawn were a recovery and resilient/stable pattern. Participants were also asked to select five out of fifteen cards referring to coping strategies, which they considered most helpful in dealing with the disappearance. Acceptance, emotional social support, mental disengagement, and venting emotions were most frequently chosen. This study provided some indication of coping strategies that could be strengthened in treatment for those in need of support.

Language: en

Keywords

bereavement; complicated grief; coping; disenfranchised grief; resilience