Article Version of Record

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 bereavement

Persistent 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
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Mohamed Hussin, Nur Atikah
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Mohammad, Taufik
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Azman, Azlinda
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Guàrdia-Olmos, Joan
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Aho, Anna Liisa
  • PsychArchives acquisition timestamp
    2018-12-05T08:44:25Z
  • Made available on
    2018-12-05T08:44:25Z
  • Date of first publication
    2018-07-06
  • 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.
    en_US
  • Publication status
    publishedVersion
  • Review status
    peerReviewed
  • 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
    en_US
  • ISSN
    1981-6472
  • Persistent Identifier
    https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12034/1781
  • Persistent Identifier
    https://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.2147
  • Language of content
    eng
  • Publisher
    PsychOpen GOLD
  • Is version of
    https://doi.org/10.5964/ijpr.v12i1.288
  • Keyword(s)
    spousal relationship
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    communication
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    coping styles
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    marriage and bereavement
    en_US
  • Dewey Decimal Classification number(s)
    150
  • Title
    The dynamics of spousal relationships after the loss of a child among bereaved Malay parents
    en_US
  • DRO type
    article
  • Issue
    1
  • Journal title
    Interpersona: An International Journal on Personal Relationships
  • Page numbers
    51–67
  • Volume
    12
  • Visible tag(s)
    Version of Record