Siblings' encounters with a subsequent child after sibling loss.

Abstract

This study presents a qualitative analysis of 16 interviews with Israeli siblings who experienced the loss of a sibling followed by the addition of a new child to the family. The study explores how bereaved siblings encounter and make sense of the subsequent child within the family context. Using thematic analysis, four key themes emerged: (a) resentment toward parents' decision to have another child; (b) the absence of an appropriate term to define the subsequent child's role; (c) the development of semi-parental relationships with the subsequent sibling(s); and (d) a "misery scale," reflecting perceptions of legitimate mourners. Participants' encounters with the subsequent child encompassed both relational and sociocultural dimensions. These findings highlight the need for clinicians to recognize the complex positioning of subsequent children and to address issues of boundary-making, legitimacy of grief, and intra-familial hierarchies. Attending to bereaved siblings' experiences may support more inclusive and attuned family interventions.