The lived experience of communication patterns within parental dyads towards parental bereavement

Abstract

When parents lose a child, they not only have to cope with the worst life event imaginable, but their loss also affects how they communicate with each other. Research on the topic of communication patterns within bereaved parental dyads in Singapore is limited and few bereavement studies consider the entire communication experience in the course of caring for the child and after the loss of the child. The aim of this study was to examine in depth the lived experience of communication patterns within parental dyads, and to advocate for better systems of support. This is a part of a larger study and a sample size of 5 was taken out of 25. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 4 mothers and 1 dyad. Interview data was analyzed with thematic analysis and five major themes were identified: pragmatic communication, high partner-oriented self-regulation, empathic responding, open communication and expression, and emotional closeness. The themes act sequentially and is illustrated in a bi-phasal progression trajectory process from the closed communication at the start which expanded to a more open stance towards the end of their experience. The findings highlight positive outcomes despite difficulties and also distinguish between bereavement patterns observed in Asian and Western cultures.