A mother's grief: An exploration of the effect of grief on Black American mothers

The purpose of this research was to collect information related to the effect that an infant's death has on Black American mothers. The term “Black American” was used to represent individuals who identify their ethnicity as Black, Negro, and African American. While individuals cope with grief in a variety of ways, research indicates that the death of a child is the highest level of grief a parent can endure. The grief process, including psychological and physical changes, affects individuals differently. Some individuals seek therapeutic interventions to assist in the process; others do not. This study examined to what extent the death of an infant child affects the relationships of Black American mothers with those emotionally closest to them, and the sources of support that were most helpful in successful coping after the death of a child. Through qualitative research, the researcher interviewed a sample of Black American mothers in order to understand the phenomenon of grief associated with the loss of an infant and to determine the effect of this grief on their families and other individuals close to them. Recognizing that culture and experiences play essential roles in an individual's coping process surrounding death, this study examined how age, time since death, and means of loss correlated with the mothers' grief process and ability to cope