There is little research on Caribbean Black mothers coping with the homicide of their sons. This phenomenological study examines mothers’ grief and coping after the homicide of their male child on the small island state of Trinidad, where people are close knit and socially interconnected. In-depth interviews of 10 mothers who suffered the loss of their sons within a 10-year period were conducted and four themes emerged: normalizing the child against stigma, spirituality and meaning making, concealment and suppression of emotions, and collective support. Results highlighted the immense grief mothers are still struggling with, due to lack of closure with their son’s murder case and the stigma associated with homicide. Additional supports are needed to help mothers with the grieving process.

中文翻译：

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“他是个好男孩”：特立尼达和加勒比黑人母亲的儿子被杀后的应对和悲伤经历

关于加勒比黑人母亲应对儿子杀人的研究很少。这项现象学研究考察了在特立尼达的一个小岛国谋杀母亲的悲痛和应对方式。在这个岛上，人们有着紧密的联系和社会联系。对10年内失去儿子的10位母亲进行了深入访谈，发现了四个主题：使孩子免受污名，灵性和意义的规范化，隐藏和压抑情绪以及集体支持。结果表明，由于儿子的谋杀案未结案以及与杀人有关的污名化，母亲们仍在苦苦挣扎。需要额外的支持来帮助母亲进行悲伤的过程。