Healing the social self: how parents whose children were killed in terror attacks construct the experience of help

Chaya Possick, Michal Shamai, Ruth A.nn Sadeh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study focuses on expressed needs and structures of assistance received by Israeli parents whose children were killed in terror attacks. The loss takes place within a multi-systemic network that can be a healing force and/or a distorting factor in the grief process. The qualitative research paradigm employed privileges the knowledge of the parents themselves. In-depth interviews were conducted with 16 parents. (1) The primary criterion that determines the parents' attribution of helpfulness is perceived inclusiveness. (2) The subsystem of "family of the bereaved" is salient in the healing process. (3) There is a clear preference for the services provided by NGO's as opposed to governmental agencies. (4) The bereaved parents engage the symbolic level of the macro-system-the heritage of the Jewish people. The article concludes with the practical implications of the findings for the development and delivery of psychosocial services to parents bereaved in terror attacks.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)487-496
Number of pages10
JournalCommunity Mental Health Journal
Volume50
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 May 2014
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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