Losing a child

The aim of this qualitative study was to gain a deeper understanding of the meaning makingcoping strategies used by parents who have lost their child and how participation inwork life affected their grieving process. Data was collected by semi-structured interviewswith parents (n=8). The study revealed that the parents who had lost their childexperienced it as the worst thing that can happen, they had difficulties enduring the griefhowever they also experienced personal growth. The study also found that the meaningmaking coping strategies used by parents were talking and praying to God, spiritualism,feeling a greater emotional belonging to nature, thinking of one’s life in a larger context,talking to others about their feelings and talking to the child in their own thoughts. Finally,the study results showed that the parent’s participation in work life had both positive andnegative consequences on their bereavement