The Role of Meaning and Purpose in Life in Bereaved Parents Associated With a Self-Help Group: Compassionate Friends

This study explores the relationship of parental bereavement to meaning & purpose in life. 203 volunteers found through Compassionate Friends newsletters in 7 USA cities completed a questionnaire. Analysis of the results indicate that lower purpose in life for bereaved parents in this sample is related to less time since the death, loss by suicide, loss of an only child, & loss of more than 1 child. Descriptive data also indicates that a crisis of meaning may follow the death of a child.