"I'm Not Alone": A Group Intervention for Grieving Children. Issue 3 (August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: O'Brien, Karen M.; Cannon, Gilly; Stearns, Allison K.; Walsh, Carol; Hill, Erin M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of prevention and health promotion. Volume 3:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 395
• Page End: 414
• Publication Date: 2022-08
• Subjects: grief group -- program evaluation -- prevention -- community partnership; Health promotion -- Periodicals; Medicine, Preventive -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1177/26320770221098730
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2632-0770

Abstract

Grieving children are at risk for negative outcomes (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2020). This study described a collaboration between a community agency and a large school district to create and implement groups for grieving children. A preliminary evaluation of the effectiveness of these groups was conducted. Quantitative and qualitative data from 318 students, 59 group facilitators, and 59 school counselors indicated that the grief group was a promising intervention for diverse students with regard to enhancing awareness about grief, reducing isolation, providing a place to share feelings, and learning coping strategies after the death of a significant person. This research may inform the development, implementation, and evaluation of other important interventions established through community partnerships to prevent negative outcomes associated with unattended grief in childhood.