Good grieving--an intervention program for grieving children.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a program for grieving children including the agenda, activities, and logistics of organizing the program.


METHODS
Clinical observations and evaluations from the program; literature review.


RESULTS
A series of four seasonal programs were designed to promote a child's normal grieving process and enhance adjustment to the loss. Programs are cyclic, children are grouped by age, and activities are intended to promote expression of feelings, understanding of the loss, and good coping skills. A concurrent program for caregivers facilitates family communication and support.


CONCLUSIONS
The program demonstrated positive behavioral changes in grieving children and provides a model for other nurses to use in organizing similar programs.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses should be familiar with key elements of children's grief and incorporate this into their practice, especially when caring for terminally ill patients who have children.
Heiney
S P
SP
Center for Cancer Treatment and Research, Richland Memorial Hospital, Columbia, SC, USA.
Dunaway
N C
NC
Webster
J
J
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004644:Emotions; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006117:Grief; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008389:Marketing of Health Services; D008568:Memory; D002666:Psychology, Child; D011641:Public Relations; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000458:organization & administration; D013022:South Carolina