The Effectiveness of Coping Resources and Strategies Used by Bereaved Parents 1 and 5 Years after the Violent Deaths of Their Children

Abstract

In this study, we examined the effectiveness of the coping resources and coping strategies by following 173 bereaved parents prospectively for five years after their children's deaths by accident, suicide, homicide, or undetermined violence. Using hierarchical multiple regression procedures, we examined how three predictors influenced parents' mental distress and PTSD: self-esteem, active/affective coping, and repressive coping. The results showed that at one and five years postdeath, self-esteem was a significant predictor of mental distress and PTSD. After controlling for self-esteem, the use of active/affective coping strategies predicted less mental distress for fathers but not for mothers. Active/affective coping strategies were not significant predictors of lowered PTSD symptoms for either mothers or fathers. Rather, repressive coping strategies were significant predictors of higher PTSD symptoms for both mothers and fathers at both one and five years postdeath. The findings suggest the need for interventions that target both gender and outcomes as unique aspects of the violent death bereavement transition.