Parental grief: a qualitative analysis of gratitude

Background: Gratitude in the context of parental grief is a relatively underexplored area that warrants attention due to its potential impact on the grieving process and personal growth following a traumatic loss.Objective: This qualitative study aims to explore the role of gratitude within the trau...

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Main Authors: Lucía Pelacho-Ríos, Kairi Kōlves, Gloria Bernabe-Valero
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:European Journal of Psychotraumatology
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20008066.2025.2513854
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author Lucía Pelacho-Ríos
Kairi Kōlves
Gloria Bernabe-Valero
author_facet Lucía Pelacho-Ríos
Kairi Kōlves
Gloria Bernabe-Valero
author_sort Lucía Pelacho-Ríos
collection DOAJ
description Background: Gratitude in the context of parental grief is a relatively underexplored area that warrants attention due to its potential impact on the grieving process and personal growth following a traumatic loss.Objective: This qualitative study aims to explore the role of gratitude within the traumatic context of parental bereavement, examining the types and processes of gratitude experienced by bereaved parents.Method: The research employed thematic analysis based on a conceptual model of gratitude to investigate the experiences of grieving parents. It identified various manifestations of gratitude, both explicit and implicit, throughout the grieving process.Results: Findings reveal that gratitude plays a complex role in the experience of parental bereavement. Participants reported experiencing interpersonal, transcendental, and adversity-related gratitude. Key processes identified include recognition of gifts, attribution to agents, and valuing experiences. Factors that facilitate or hinder gratitude were also explored.Conclusions: This study contributes to the limited literature on gratitude in parental bereavement and provides valuable insights for developing supportive interventions. It highlights the potential of gratitude as a coping mechanism and a pathway for personal growth in the face of profound traumatic loss, offering a nuanced understanding of its role in the grieving process.
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spelling doaj-art-ef82e4828c7c4be1bfa0000b27b9604e2025-08-20T02:40:14ZengTaylor & Francis GroupEuropean Journal of Psychotraumatology2000-80662025-12-0116110.1080/20008066.2025.2513854Parental grief: a qualitative analysis of gratitudeLucía Pelacho-Ríos0Kairi Kōlves1Gloria Bernabe-Valero2Doctoral School, Catholic University of Valencia, San Vicente Mártir, SpainAustralian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention, School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Mount Gravatt, AustraliaCatholic University of Valencia, San Vicente Mártir, SpainBackground: Gratitude in the context of parental grief is a relatively underexplored area that warrants attention due to its potential impact on the grieving process and personal growth following a traumatic loss.Objective: This qualitative study aims to explore the role of gratitude within the traumatic context of parental bereavement, examining the types and processes of gratitude experienced by bereaved parents.Method: The research employed thematic analysis based on a conceptual model of gratitude to investigate the experiences of grieving parents. It identified various manifestations of gratitude, both explicit and implicit, throughout the grieving process.Results: Findings reveal that gratitude plays a complex role in the experience of parental bereavement. Participants reported experiencing interpersonal, transcendental, and adversity-related gratitude. Key processes identified include recognition of gifts, attribution to agents, and valuing experiences. Factors that facilitate or hinder gratitude were also explored.Conclusions: This study contributes to the limited literature on gratitude in parental bereavement and provides valuable insights for developing supportive interventions. It highlights the potential of gratitude as a coping mechanism and a pathway for personal growth in the face of profound traumatic loss, offering a nuanced understanding of its role in the grieving process.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20008066.2025.2513854Bereavementlosschild deathspiritualityposttraumatic growththematic analysis
spellingShingle Lucía Pelacho-Ríos
Kairi Kōlves
Gloria Bernabe-Valero
Parental grief: a qualitative analysis of gratitude
European Journal of Psychotraumatology
Bereavement
loss
child death
spirituality
posttraumatic growth
thematic analysis
title Parental grief: a qualitative analysis of gratitude
title_full Parental grief: a qualitative analysis of gratitude
title_fullStr Parental grief: a qualitative analysis of gratitude
title_full_unstemmed Parental grief: a qualitative analysis of gratitude
title_short Parental grief: a qualitative analysis of gratitude
title_sort parental grief a qualitative analysis of gratitude
topic Bereavement
loss
child death
spirituality
posttraumatic growth
thematic analysis
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20008066.2025.2513854
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