Belonging to a Community of Care: Mothers' Experiences of Online Peer Support Groups for Parents Having Lost a Child with Congenital Heart Defects

Title

Belonging to a Community of Care: Mothers' Experiences of Online Peer Support Groups for Parents Having Lost a Child with Congenital Heart Defects

Creator

Klarare A; Carlsson T; Mattsson E

Publisher

Death Studies

Date

2020

Subject

Child death; mother grief; peer support; parent support

Description

The aim was to study mothers' experiences of online peer support groups after the death of a child. Participants (N = 8) were recruited through a newsletter for the Swedish association for families/children with heart defects, and two closed support groups on Facebook (900 and 100 members) and interviewed by telephone. Transcripts were analyzed with qualitative content analysis. The groups were available around the clock, regardless of support need, and mothers joined both to receive and provide support. Participation in online peer support groups may provide a sense of belonging to a caring community and serve as a valuable complement to healthcare.

Rights

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Citation List Month

Special Edition #1 2022 List

Citation

Klarare A; Carlsson T; Mattsson E, “Belonging to a Community of Care: Mothers' Experiences of Online Peer Support Groups for Parents Having Lost a Child with Congenital Heart Defects,” Pediatric Palliative Care Library, accessed November 13, 2024, https://pedpalascnetlibrary.omeka.net/items/show/17862.