Citation

Lord JH. Death Stud. 1987; 11(6): 413-435.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1987, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07481188708252207

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper discusses the uniqueness of survivor grief following a drunk-driving crash. It also reports about what victims find helpful and not helpful as they move through their grieving. The paper will report on responses from 292 adults who lost a primary family member or had a primary family member seriously injured in a drunk-driving crash. The questionnaire addressed responses of the family on the day of the crash, the day of the funeral, a week after the crash, a month after the crash, during the criminal trial, and at the time the questionnaire was completed. Respondents were also asked what was most appropriate and least appropriate during these times on the part of friends or professionals who were attempting to help them. Finally, clinical observations of the author are presented based on interviews with hundreds of crash victims. These will highlight pros and cons of victim support groups, legal advocacy, and membership in activist groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Language: en