Bereaved Parents' Perceptions of Memory Making: a Qualitative Meta-synthesis

Overview

Journal BMC Palliat Care

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Critical Care

Date 2024 Jan 25

PMID 38273273

Authors

Dan-Dan Xu

Guang-Xiong Zhang

Xin-Bo Ding

Jing Ma

Ya-Xi Suo

Yang-Yao Peng

Ji-Li Zeng

Miao Liu

Rui-Tong Hou

Jin Li

Fen Hu

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to investigate the experiences of parents who have experienced bereavement in their efforts to preserve memories of their deceased child.

Methods: Employing a qualitative meta-synthesis approach, this study systematically sought relevant qualitative literature by conducting searches across various electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Wiley, up until July 2023.

Results: Nine studies are eligible for inclusion and included in the meta-synthesis. Three overarching categories are identified: (1) Affirming the Significance of Memory Making. (2) Best Practices in Memory Making. (3) Barriers to Effective Memory Making.

Conclusion: Bereaved parents highly value the act of creating lasting memories, emphasizing its profound significance. While forming these memories, it is imperative to offer family-centered care and honor diverse preferences and needs. It is essential to offer effective support to parents, offering them a range of choices. Furthermore, a more comprehensive examination of memory-making practices is required to better understand their influence on parents' recollections of their deceased child.

Citing Articles

Memory-making interventions for children and their families receiving pediatric palliative or bereavement care: A systematic review protocol.

Safarifard R, Kiernan G, Corcoran Y, Courtney E, Mitchell J, Akard T HRB Open Res. 2024; 7:30.

PMID: 39071733 PMC: 11282391. DOI: 10.12688/hrbopenres.13891.2.

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