The dynamics of spousal relationships after the loss of a child among bereaved Malay parents

Q2 Social Sciences

Interpersona Pub Date : 2018-07-06 DOI:10.5964/IJPR.V12I1.288

N. Hussin, Taufik Mohammad, A. Azman, J. Guàrdia-Olmos, A. L. Aho

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引用次数: 6

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the dynamics of the relationship between bereaved parents after the loss of their child. Literature has attempted to understand how coping mechanisms related to gender characteristics, communication, and intimacy influence the spousal relationship after the loss of a child. However, this area is scarcely explored in a Malaysian context. This qualitative study involved 11 bereaved parents. These parents had lost their children due to accidents (n = 9) and homicide (n = 2). Open-ended questions that focused on the patterns of the spousal relationship were administered to the parents. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. Some of the main themes found were that constructive communication and intimacy are interrelated in helping bereaved parents to cope better. Nonverbal intimacy is helpful. Avoidance or limited communication and intimacy are influenced by religion and cultural beliefs. The bereavement responses influenced the spousal relationship, causing it to become stronger, weaker, or causing the parents to act like nothing had happened. This study helps us to understand the effects of the loss of a child on the spousal relationship of the bereaved parents. This study makes recommendations related to the adjustment and maintenance of a healthy spousal relationship after the loss of a child.

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马来父母失去孩子后的配偶关系动态

本研究的目的是探讨丧子父母之间的动态关系。文献试图理解与性别特征、沟通和亲密关系相关的应对机制如何影响失去孩子后的配偶关系。然而，这一领域很少在马来西亚的背景下进行探索。这项定性研究涉及11位丧亲父母。这些父母因意外事故(n = 9)和谋杀(n = 2)而失去了他们的孩子。研究人员向这些父母提出了关于配偶关系模式的开放式问题。使用专题分析对数据进行分析。其中发现的一些主题是，建设性的沟通和亲密关系在帮助失去亲人的父母更好地应对问题方面是相互关联的。非语言的亲密关系是有帮助的。避免或限制交流和亲密关系受到宗教和文化信仰的影响。丧亲反应会影响配偶关系，使其变得更强或更弱，或使父母表现得像什么都没发生过一样。本研究有助于我们了解失去孩子对失去孩子的父母的配偶关系的影响。本研究就丧失子女后如何调整和维持健康的配偶关系提出建议。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Interpersona Social Sciences-Cultural Studies

CiteScore

1.00

自引率

0.00%

发文量

审稿时长

38 weeks

期刊介绍： 1) Interpersona aims at promoting scholarship in the field of interpersonal relationships based on different methodologies and stemming from several disciplines, including Psychology, Family Studies, Sociology, Anthropology, Communication Studies, Economics, Management Science, Biology, Health Sciences, History, and others. Interpersona aims at contributing to the collective construction of an Interpersonal Relationship Science. 2) Manuscripts examining a wide range of relationships, including close or intimate relationships and weak or temporary ties, are welcome. Some examples are indicated below: Biology - Biological foundations of human relationships: physiological and neurobiological phenomena related to interpersonal interactions. The evolutionary foundations of interpersonal relationships including comparative and animal studies of social interactions. Psychology and Family Studies: close or intimate relations including romantic relationships, family relationships and friendship. Family relationships encompass spouses, parents and children, siblings, and other relations among nuclear and extended family members.[...] 3) In addition to original empirical (qualitative or quantitative) research, theoretical or methodological contributions, integrative reviews, meta-analyses, comparative or historical studies, and critical assessments of the status of the field are welcome as submissions. 4) Interpersona is a totally free access journal and readers may read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of these articles without any charge. All papers are peer-reviewed by members of the editorial board or ad-hoc reviewers under the supervision of an editor. [...] 5) All Interpersona content is available in full text with no charge. All submitted papers are reviewed by at least two referees before being accepted for publication.