Abstract

DOMINGUES, Daniela Fontoura; DESSEN, Maria Auxiliadora  and  QUEIROZ, Elizabeth. Grief and Coping in Families Victimized by Homicide. Arq. bras. psicol. [online]. 2015, vol.67, n.2, pp.61-74. ISSN 1809-5267.

Violent deaths are potentially damaging events that often require adaptive strategies by the family of the victims. This study presents the coping strategies used during the first 12 months of mourning, by mothers and siblings of eight young men who lost their lives due to homicide in Brazil's Federal District. Eight mothers and five siblings answered the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WAYS) and a semi-structured interview with questions about coping. The results show a convergence between the two instruments regarding the main strategy adopted by participants - i.e., practices focused on religiosity and wishful thinking. Problem-centered strategies and denial of death were other adaptive resources used by families. The results indicate the need to build policies in order to expand the social support network available to these families in the context of their loss.

Keywords : Grief; Coping Strategies; Youth Homicide; Family.

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