The dynamics of spousal relationships after the loss of a child among bereaved Malay parents
Author(s) / Creator(s)
Mohamed Hussin, Nur Atikah
Mohammad, Taufik
Azman, Azlinda
Guàrdia-Olmos, Joan
Aho, Anna Liisa
Abstract / Description
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.
Keyword(s)
spousal relationship communication coping styles marriage and bereavementPersistent Identifier
Date of first publication
2018-07-06
Journal title
Interpersona: An International Journal on Personal Relationships
Volume
12
Issue
1
Page numbers
51–67
Publisher
PsychOpen GOLD
Publication status
publishedVersion
Review status
peerReviewed
Is version of
Citation
Mohamed Hussin, N. A., Mohammad, T., Azman, A., Guàrdia-Olmos, J., & Aho, A. L. (2018). The dynamics of spousal relationships after the loss of a child among bereaved Malay parents. Interpersona: An International Journal on Personal Relationships, 12(1), 51–67. https://doi.org/10.5964/ijpr.v12i1.288
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Mohamed Hussin, Nur Atikah
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Mohammad, Taufik
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Azman, Azlinda
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Guàrdia-Olmos, Joan
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Aho, Anna Liisa
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PsychArchives acquisition timestamp2018-12-05T08:44:25Z
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Made available on2018-12-05T08:44:25Z
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Date of first publication2018-07-06
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Abstract / DescriptionThe 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.en_US
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Publication statuspublishedVersion
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Review statuspeerReviewed
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CitationMohamed Hussin, N. A., Mohammad, T., Azman, A., Guàrdia-Olmos, J., & Aho, A. L. (2018). The dynamics of spousal relationships after the loss of a child among bereaved Malay parents. Interpersona: An International Journal on Personal Relationships, 12(1), 51–67. https://doi.org/10.5964/ijpr.v12i1.288en_US
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ISSN1981-6472
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Persistent Identifierhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12034/1781
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Persistent Identifierhttps://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.2147
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Language of contenteng
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PublisherPsychOpen GOLD
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Is version ofhttps://doi.org/10.5964/ijpr.v12i1.288
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Keyword(s)spousal relationshipen_US
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Keyword(s)communicationen_US
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Keyword(s)coping stylesen_US
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Keyword(s)marriage and bereavementen_US
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Dewey Decimal Classification number(s)150
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TitleThe dynamics of spousal relationships after the loss of a child among bereaved Malay parentsen_US
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DRO typearticle
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Issue1
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Journal titleInterpersona: An International Journal on Personal Relationships
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Page numbers51–67
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Volume12
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Visible tag(s)Version of Record