Learning to Hold a Paradox': A Narrative Review of How Ambiguous Loss and Disenfranchised Grief Affects Children in Care
Title
Learning to Hold a Paradox': A Narrative Review of How Ambiguous Loss and Disenfranchised Grief Affects Children in Care
Creator
Leitch J
Identifier
Publisher
Practice (09503153)
Date
2022
Subject
Assessment; Care Needs; Child; Child Behavior Support; Child Care; Coping; Foster Home; Grief; Human; Infancy and Childhood; Interpersonal Relations; Personal Loss; Practice; Psychosocial Life; Purpose; Social Work; Systemic Review; Thematic Analysis
Description
Separation and loss characterise a child's experience in care, yet losses in the care-experienced population have rarely been studied as a possible source of trauma or as events that may justify a grief response. A literature search of five databases yielded 592 publications. 41 full text articles were reviewed, 16 publications were included. Thematic analysis revealed: children in care are affected by two broad type of ambiguous loss, relationship losses and psychosocial losses; behaviours labelled as 'problem' behaviours may in fact be indicators of the manifestations of ambiguous loss and disenfranchised grief; manifold ambiguous losses associated with multiple placement moves has a cumulative effect that can generate long-term negative consequences; the effects of ambiguous loss can be offset by supporting children in care to understand that their losses may not be resolvable, to build tolerance to this ambiguity, to rebuild their identity through forging permanent connections, and to make meaning of their situations. Social workers have a key role in supporting those in care to understand, process and cope with their ambiguous losses but diminishing the burden of loss must also be a systemic focus if meaningful change is to be realised for this community of vulnerable young people.
Rights
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Citation List Month
January List 2023
URL Address
Collection
Citation
Leitch J, “Learning to Hold a Paradox': A Narrative Review of How Ambiguous Loss and Disenfranchised Grief Affects Children in Care,” Pediatric Palliative Care Library, accessed February 16, 2025, https://pedpalascnetlibrary.omeka.net/items/show/18584.