Communication of demise messages to grieving parents following a child loss: a case study of “still a mum” support group In Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

The loss of a child is a painful and traumatic experience, not only for the parents but also for close relatives and friends. This type of bereavement is followed by a period of grieving, during which affected parents face various challenges. One key challenge is the manner in which demise messages are communicated to them by those around them. Support groups such as ―Still a Mum‖ have emerged as crucial spaces that bridge the gap between bereaved families and societal understanding in communicating such demise messages. ―Still a Mum” is a Kenyan-based support group that provides psychosocial support to families experiencing miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss. The group works to improve bereavement care, raise public awareness on child loss, and educate communities on how to respond to grieving parents with compassion and sensitivity. The aim of the study was to investigate the manner in which communication of demise messages is relayed to grieving parents following a child loss: A Case study of ―Still a Mum‖ support group, with the view to increase societal knowledge and awareness on the most effective ways to communicate demise messages on child loss to grieving parents. Despite immense global advances in bereavement care, significant gaps still exist in both theory and practice, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. One such gap is the lack of understanding of how bereaved parents receive and interpret demise messages from those around them. The study adopted an instrumental case study design and was conducted in Nairobi, Kenya. Thirty-five participants were involved: 30 bereaved parents, 3 medical professionals, and 2 counsellors. These individuals were selected from 500 members of “Still a Mum‖, with data collection continuing until saturation point was achieved. Using qualitative research approach, the study adopted a relativist interpretivist paradigm. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and online focus group discussions and analyzed using Braun and Clarke‘s six-step thematic analysis model. The study was guided by four theoretical frameworks: Symbolic Interactionism, Lasswell‘s Model of Communication, the Dual Process Model of Coping with Bereavement, and Problematic Integration Theory. These theoretical frameworks provided an understanding of how grieving parents make sense of their loss, how demise messages are communicated, and how uncertainty and emotion are navigated. Findings indicated that demise messages should be passed in a sensitive and direct manner, while employing the use of supportive language. Clear and compassionate communication helped the bereaved parents feel supported and acknowledged, while vague or clinical communication made their healing journey difficult. In the study, social media emerged as a key support channel in the communication of demise messages. “Still a Mum‖ uses various online platforms to connect grieving families such as a website and social media pages. The study emphasized on the importance of practicing digital etiquette while using social media to communicate demise messages so as to avoid further trauma to the grieving parents. In conclusion, the study advocates for empathetic communication of demise messages with bereaved parents. Based on the findings, the study recommends the establishment of Respectful Bereavement Care structures in healthcare facilities, the inclusion of communication training for medical professionals, and greater public awareness on how to offer meaningful and sustained support to bereaved families in the communication of demise messages.