engleski

Research on Trauma brought on by the disappearance of a child.

Background: Research on trauma brought on by the disappearance of a child is rare. The aim of our study was to increase understanding of uncertainty's role in the lives of those it affects, to present a narrative structure of the parents' testimonies, and to discern the origin of hope still felt by the parents. Sampling and Methods: Close reading and qualitative analysis of 29 testimonies given by parents whose sons disappeared during the Croatian War for Independence. Gender differences, categories, and frequencies of adjectives used were determined. Results: Uncertainty and loss parents felt throughout the years merged all of their traumas into one, making them perceive their lives as tragic lives. Narrative structure of their testimonies belongs to chaos narratives. Hope, felt by all parents, seems to be strengthened by memories and images of the missing son. When describing their sons mothers used more adjectives than the fathers. Adjectives the parents used can be grouped into 3 categories: 1. adjectives unrelated to the disappearance, 2. adjectives engendering hope, and 3. adjectives endangering hope. Conclusions: Loss and hope, both driven by uncertainty, are felt even 10 years after the disappearance of a son and are unlikely to end until the disappearance is resolved. Counseling might benefit by encouraging recollection of memories involving the child. Strengthening of the child's image should increase hope and help balance the loss and despair brought on by the passing of days. Further research on the influence and origin of hope is recommended.

uncertainty; bereavement; memory; mental recall; interviews as topic; war; military personnel; adult; parents; Croatia

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