title: African American grandmothers parenting AIDS orphans: concomitant grief and loss.
abstract: Ten urban African American grandmothers participated in a qualitative study using in-depth open-ended interviews to determine if and how the African American cultural experience informed the grieving process and the acceptance of the "off-time" parenting role. The findings do not support the premise that grief resolution requires the bereaved to relinquish all ties to the deceased. The participants maintained strong bonds with the deceased through the conscious decision to remember their unique qualities and through parenting their children, a tradition rooted in the history of the African American family. A spiritual relationship with God was a significant source of strength that enhanced their ability to parent while mourning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 28223, USA.
authors.forename: Carole A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Winston
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003657:Decision Making; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D005581:Foster Home Care; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D016901:Intergenerational Relations; D008875:Middle Aged; D016487:Parenting; D012067:Religion