{"title":"Culturally Embedded, Gendered, and Iterative Grief Among Adult Sons Following Paternal Loss: A Qualitative Study.","authors":"Hsiang-Wan Tseng, Shwu-Hua Lee, Kuo-Chen Liao, Ching-Yen Chen, Hsiu-Lan Lee, Yun-Fang Tsai","doi":"10.1177/00302228261478834","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00302228261478834","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The death of a father is a major transition for adult sons, particularly in cultures emphasizing filial duty and masculine norms. This qualitative study explored how 24 bereaved sons in Chinese society experienced paternal loss using in-depth interviews and reflexive thematic analysis. Findings revealed a non-linear, iterative grieving process: sons assumed family responsibilities, maintained relational bonds, managed paradoxical emotions, reflected on father-son relationships, and engaged in recursive coping. Grief was culturally mediated, relational, and identity-transforming, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive support for bereaved adult sons.</p>","PeriodicalId":74338,"journal":{"name":"Omega","volume":" ","pages":"302228261478834"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148802736","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
OmegaPub Date : 2026-08-17DOI: 10.1177/00302228261478337
Amelia Seraphia Derr, Elizabeth Schandelmeier
{"title":"Twilight Grief: Conceptualizing Prolonged Pre-death Grief in Serious Chronic and Life-Limiting Illness.","authors":"Amelia Seraphia Derr, Elizabeth Schandelmeier","doi":"10.1177/00302228261478337","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00302228261478337","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This paper introduces <i>twilight grief</i> as a concept to describe the prolonged, multidimensional grief experienced by individuals with serious chronic or life-limiting illness and their caregivers. Existing frameworks such as anticipatory, preparatory, ambiguous, and disenfranchised grief do not fully capture the ongoing, recursive nature of grief in the context of extended, uncertain illness trajectories. As medical advances extend life, patients and caregivers often occupy a liminal space marked by cumulative loss, shifting identities, and persistent uncertainty. <i>Twilight grief</i> may begin before diagnosis and persist for months or years, lacking clear resolution or social recognition. Unlike frameworks centered on bereavement or imminent death, <i>twilight grief</i> is defined by an ongoing focus on living amid decline and the coexistence of hope and sorrow. Frequently invisible and unsupported, <i>twilight grief</i> demands greater clinical and systemic attention. We outline its defining features, distinguish it from related concepts, and discuss implications for practice, policy, and future research.</p>","PeriodicalId":74338,"journal":{"name":"Omega","volume":" ","pages":"302228261478337"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148802811","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
OmegaPub Date : 2026-08-17DOI: 10.1177/00302228261474802
Carline J M van Heijningen, Annemarie Samuels, Andrea L Haccou, Bernet M Elzinga, Lenneke R A Alink, Sheila R van Berkel
{"title":"Sibling Relationships After the Death of a Parent During Childhood: \"Everyone Carries Their Own Grief\".","authors":"Carline J M van Heijningen, Annemarie Samuels, Andrea L Haccou, Bernet M Elzinga, Lenneke R A Alink, Sheila R van Berkel","doi":"10.1177/00302228261474802","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00302228261474802","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>After the death of a parent, children have to adjust to changes in family roles and dynamics as a result of the loss, including the sibling relationship. The current qualitative study explored, using joint interviews with sibling pairs, how adult siblings experienced the death of their parent during childhood and their sibling relationship over time. Thirteen adult siblings from six families reflected upon their loss experiences and how these affected their sibling relationship. Most sibling pairs described a distance directly after parental death, and an alternating pattern of distance and closeness during adulthood. Sibling relationships were affected by the coping styles of the remaining parent and siblings, difficulties with sharing grief, and shifts in the roles of individual siblings. These findings may help improve support for remaining parents in their effort to help their children in the process of coping with their grief and adapting to the changed family situation.</p>","PeriodicalId":74338,"journal":{"name":"Omega","volume":" ","pages":"302228261474802"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148802758","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
OmegaPub Date : 2026-08-01Epub Date: 2024-08-13DOI: 10.1177/00302228241272648
Shunyan Lyu, Zixuan Guo, Sabrina Yanan Jiang, Yu Li
{"title":"Perceived and Internalized Stigma Towards Suicide and Their Roles in Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among Chinese College Students.","authors":"Shunyan Lyu, Zixuan Guo, Sabrina Yanan Jiang, Yu Li","doi":"10.1177/00302228241272648","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00302228241272648","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Although perceived and internalized suicide stigma are considered risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs), their specific roles in STBs are not well understood. This study examined the relationships among perceived and internalized suicide stigma, hopelessness, unbearable pain, suicidal desire, and suicide attempts in college students. A total of 1,387 Chinese college students (mean age: 22.22 years) completed the relevant scales. Structural equation modeling was used to determine the relationships of interest. The results showed that perceived stigma primarily had indirect impacts on suicidal desire through internalized stigma, which subsequently affected unbearable pain and hopelessness. The findings of this study suggest that the internalization of suicide stigma is an important predictor of STBs. These findings advocate for stigma interventions aimed at reducing internalized stigma as a potentially effective strategy for suicide prevention, as it may alleviate unbearable pain and hopelessness, which are significant contributors to suicidal desire and attempts.</p>","PeriodicalId":74338,"journal":{"name":"Omega","volume":" ","pages":"1929-1948"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141972370","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
OmegaPub Date : 2026-08-01Epub Date: 2024-08-08DOI: 10.1177/00302228241272601
Emma Quadlander-Goff, Jill Meyer
{"title":"Risk Factors of Prolonged Grief Disorder.","authors":"Emma Quadlander-Goff, Jill Meyer","doi":"10.1177/00302228241272601","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00302228241272601","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) is characterized by extensive yearning, which includes a strong desire, for the deceased that occurs for at least 12 months. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors that contribute to PGD including the type of loss, relationship to the deceased, and coping. The sample included 190 bereaved adults (71 unexpected or violent loss and 119 natural loss) that experienced the loss of a loved one at least 12 months prior to completing the survey used in this study. There were non-significant results for type of loss, the presence of PGD, and coping. Findings showed that dysfunctional coping including self-blame explained the presence of PGD. Closeness to the deceased prior to the loss contributed to the presence of PGD. The findings highlight the risk factors for adults that experience a presence of PGD.</p>","PeriodicalId":74338,"journal":{"name":"Omega","volume":" ","pages":"1830-1845"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141903888","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
OmegaPub Date : 2026-08-01Epub Date: 2024-09-02DOI: 10.1177/00302228241271702
Fatma Gülsüm Önal, Bahar Marangoz
{"title":"The Impact of Turkey's Withdrawal From the Istanbul Convention on Suspicious Female Deaths and Femicides.","authors":"Fatma Gülsüm Önal, Bahar Marangoz","doi":"10.1177/00302228241271702","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00302228241271702","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In recent years, suspicious deaths, often portrayed as \"falls from a height,\" have been increasingly associated with femicides in Turkey. This phenomenon coincided with the official withdrawal process from the \"Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence\" (Istanbul Convention). Our study aims to reveal the impact of Turkey's withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention on femicides and the yet officially unrecognized \"suspicious female deaths.\" This research, conducted in a descriptive, cross-sectional epidemiological style, draws its population from records of suspicious female deaths and femicides that occurred in Turkey between January 1, 2020, and June 1, 2023. There has been a notable increase in the rate of suspicious female deaths. Additionally, a significant rise has been observed in the proportion of women who were employed, had children, and sought legal protection in these deaths. The study suggests a return to the Istanbul Convention.</p>","PeriodicalId":74338,"journal":{"name":"Omega","volume":" ","pages":"1638-1653"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142121288","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
OmegaPub Date : 2026-08-01Epub Date: 2024-07-24DOI: 10.1177/00302228241265391
Benita Cërmjani, Kaltrina Kelmendi
{"title":"Exploring Resilience and Post-traumatic Growth Among Bereaved Adults in Kosovo.","authors":"Benita Cërmjani, Kaltrina Kelmendi","doi":"10.1177/00302228241265391","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00302228241265391","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The study explores resilience and posttraumatic growth in adults in Kosovo who have experienced grief, using the Resilience Portfolio Model as a guiding framework. Twelve participants shared their experiences through semi-structured interviews, aiming to capture detailed personal narratives and insights into coping with loss. Thematic analysis of the data revealed three main themes: \"Reaction to Loss,\" \"Navigating through Loss and Embracing Adaptations,\" and \"Resilience and Posttraumatic Growth.\" The findings highlight the transformative experiences contributing to personal development and resilience, emphasizing the significant role of cultural dimensions in shaping resilience and posttraumatic growth. The study underscores the importance of considering cultural context in therapeutic approaches to better support individuals in their recovery and growth from experiences of loss.</p>","PeriodicalId":74338,"journal":{"name":"Omega","volume":" ","pages":"1506-1525"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141763151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
OmegaPub Date : 2026-08-01Epub Date: 2024-08-06DOI: 10.1177/00302228241272635
Brenna Mossman, Damian R Murray, James Gerhart, Sonia Malhotra, Taylor Alcorn, Michael Hoerger
{"title":"Cultural Differences Predict Palliative Care Development Across the United States: The Role of Cultural Tightness and Looseness.","authors":"Brenna Mossman, Damian R Murray, James Gerhart, Sonia Malhotra, Taylor Alcorn, Michael Hoerger","doi":"10.1177/00302228241272635","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00302228241272635","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Across the United States, some regions demonstrate greater readiness to adopt palliative care than others. This geographic variation in access and utilization may be due to cultural variation in \"tightness\" and \"looseness,\" which can be understood as the relative strength and enforcement of social norms and behavioral constraint within a culture. The present study examined the influence of cultural tightness-looseness on access to palliative care (i.e., statewide percentage of hospitals with palliative care programs) across the 50 U.S. states while controlling for demographic covariates. Results of regression analyses demonstrated that states with looser cultures (i.e., less adherence to norms) had better palliative care access (β = .501, <i>p</i> = .012). Additionally, access was better in states with greater proportions of female (β = .455, <i>p</i> = .004) and white, non-Hispanic or Latino/a (β = .359, <i>p</i> = .002) residents. Strategies to improve utilization should consider the influence of culture and the relative strength of existing social norms within the region.</p>","PeriodicalId":74338,"journal":{"name":"Omega","volume":" ","pages":"1767-1779"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144499779","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
OmegaPub Date : 2026-08-01Epub Date: 2024-08-20DOI: 10.1177/00302228241272608
Anne Dodd, Suzanne Guerin
{"title":"Exploring Funeral Directors' Experience and Perceived Impact of Providing Funeral Services During COVID-19 Restrictions.","authors":"Anne Dodd, Suzanne Guerin","doi":"10.1177/00302228241272608","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00302228241272608","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The importance of ritual/ceremony following bereavement is well documented, however restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the freedom to bury loved ones according to beliefs/traditions. This study explores the experiences of staff providing funeral services during COVID-19 and considers the implications for supporting bereaved families. Fifty-eight staff (male, 72.4%; <i>n</i> = 42) from 17 counties in Ireland, completed a self-report survey assessing perceived impact of COVID-19, confidence providing services, and challenges and supports for practice during this time. Quantitative findings suggest moderate confidence in service provision and low perception of negative impact from COVID-19, while qualitative results highlight a contrast between a feeling of under-recognition at a policy level and a sense of being appreciated by the public. This study highlights the evolving role of the funeral sector in Ireland in supporting the bereaved, and the potential to capitalise on a genuine interest in contributing more to support beyond the funeral.</p>","PeriodicalId":74338,"journal":{"name":"Omega","volume":" ","pages":"1969-1986"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13287358/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142006063","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
OmegaPub Date : 2026-08-01Epub Date: 2024-08-07DOI: 10.1177/00302228241272498
Moh'd Haniel O Abdul
{"title":"Mortality Salience and Death Anxiety: The Moderating Roles of Self-Esteem and Religiosity.","authors":"Moh'd Haniel O Abdul","doi":"10.1177/00302228241272498","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00302228241272498","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between mortality salience, death anxiety, and two moderating variables: self-esteem and religiosity. A total of 174 undergraduate students from the Mindanao State University-Main Campus in the Philippines were selected via convenience sampling. Specifically, the study was carried out to determine if both self-esteem and religiosity moderate the relationship between mortality salience and death anxiety. The results revealed that mortality salience was positively correlated with death anxiety among undergraduate students. Moreover, self-esteem significantly moderated the relationship between mortality salience and death anxiety, with low self-esteem enhancing this relationship. However, religiosity was found to be a non-significant moderator of the link between mortality salience and death anxiety. Overall, the findings of this study have implications for understanding these relationships and offer recommendations for further research.</p>","PeriodicalId":74338,"journal":{"name":"Omega","volume":" ","pages":"1780-1798"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141903887","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}