Assessed personality functioning in 19 fatally and chronically ill outpatient children. Found important differences in measures of distress that are thought to be roughly the same. Suggests the most common empirical methods are poorly fitted to the task of understanding the distress of fatally or chronically ill children. (Author/JAC)

Notes that sudden loss of child, especially by suicide, can be lifelong sentence of suffering for bereaved parents. Sees reaching out for help as often inconceivable and impossible task for parent survivors because of complex grief process. Explores what role helpers can play, who can fill helper position, and what criteria helpers must meet to be…

Describes the Compassionate Friends self-help group as an effective intervention in the severe bereavement after the death of a child. The decision to attend the group, to affiliate, to transform oneself into a helper within the group form the framework of the description. (Author/NRB)

Depicts experiences of two young girls and their coping/growing strategies following father's suicide. Describes hallmarks of meaningful growth and healing as including embracing all confused feelings (guilt, anger, abandonment, embarrassment, sadness, fear of losing surviving parent, and changes). Finds underlying theme of adjustment in…