ABSTRACT

This qualitative study explored the intergenerational family narratives around loss and bereavement as perceived by 12 Israeli adults, whose fathers died before they were born. Using the interpretative phenomenological analysis approach, the intergenerational narrative process was examined as it appeared in in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Three phases of this process were identified: (1) the first generation: establishing the rule of silence, (2) the second generation: obeying the rule of silence, and (3) the third generation: breaking the rule of silence. The discussion presents a nuanced examination of the functions of silence in family narration in the case of traumatic loss, its impact on children whose fathers died before they were born, and the notion of the timing and processing of intergenerational dialogues of loss between grandparents, parents, children, and grandchildren. Practical implications include the importance of recognizing the need for a careful balance between silence and speech, both for the family as a unit and for its grieving members. Also, family therapists should consider incorporating three-generation therapy sessions in cases of parent loss in general, and father loss before birth in particular.

摘要

这项定性研究探讨了 12 名父亲在出生前就去世的以色列成年人对代际家庭关于失去和丧亲之痛的叙述。使用解释现象学分析方法，对代际叙事过程进行了检查，因为它出现在深入的半结构化访谈中。确定了这一过程的三个阶段：（1）第一代：建立沉默规则，（2）第二代：遵守沉默规则，以及（3）第三代：打破沉默规则。讨论对创伤性丧失情况下家庭叙述中沉默的作用进行了细致入微的考察，它对父亲在出生前去世的孩子的影响，以及祖父母、父母、子女和孙子女之间关于损失的代际对话的时间和处理的概念。实际意义包括认识到需要在沉默和言语之间保持谨慎平衡的重要性，这对于作为一个单位的家庭及其悲伤的成员都是如此。此外，家庭治疗师应该考虑在一般失去父母的情况下，特别是在出生前失去父亲的情况下，纳入三代治疗课程。