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Grieving mothers: design of thematic blogs about loss of a child

Abstract

Objective

To understand motivations of grieving mothers to create and maintain a blog about the loss of their child.

Methods

This was a qualitative study on virtual ethnography from narrative analysis of data obtained from i40 blogs about the loss of a child, according to theory proposed in dual process model of grief.

Results

Defined categories were as follows: to share the experience of loss and challenges in moving forward; to create a relationship network to support, comfort, and support other grieving persons; to guarantee a space of refuge to express feelings and emotions in order to overcome loss; to honor and perpetuate the image of the child lost; and to engage in social activism.

Conclusion

The expression and validation of grief in blogs help mothers to develop strategies to cope with stressful factors related to the loss.

Grief; Internet; Blogs; Mothers

Escola Paulista de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de São Paulo R. Napoleão de Barros, 754, 04024-002 São Paulo - SP/Brasil, Tel./Fax: (55 11) 5576 4430 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: actapaulista@unifesp.br