Table 3.
Benefit-finding themes and frequencies (participants often gave multiple answers)
| Benefit-finding theme | Coding definition | % (n) |
|---|---|---|
| Personal improvement | Themes of personal growth other than those detailed separately in this table (e.g., increased sensitivity), such as becoming wiser, more tolerant, etc. | 46.7 (14) |
| Changed priorities | Changes in priorities or in the importance of how time is spent, or about what is distressing. | 43.3 (13) |
| Appreciation of life | Heightened appreciation of life and of the moment, not taking anything for granted. | 36.7 (11) |
| Helping others | Description of actions to help others or the desire to help others who have experienced losses or other painful events. | 33.3 (10) |
| Stronger coping | Discussion of ways in which participants feel stronger, are better able to cope with difficult situations, or are generally less afraid, or are less afraid of specific issues, such as dying. | 30.0 (9) |
| No benefit | Explicit response of “no” to benefit-finding question and/or stating that there is no positive implication of such a terrible loss. | 26.7 (8) |
| Appreciation of others | Increased appreciation of others and/or heightened ability to express appreciation to others (also other children). | 26.7 (8) |
| Increased sensitivity | Increase in perceptual sensitivity in general and/or empathy and compassion towards other human beings. | 23.3 (7) |
| Valuable lessons | Lessons learned about life, death, relationships, etc. | 23.3 (7) |
| Experience | Having and being open for new experiences or discoveries. | 20.0 (6) |
| Education | Description of pursuing classes, or a (desired) change in careers. | 16.7 (5) |
| Enhanced spirituality | Increases in spirituality or religiosity. | 13.3 (4) |
| Bitter benefits | Presumed positive, objective changes in life, which cannot really be seen as positive, such as there is nothing worse that could happen now. | 13.3 (4) |
| Increased empathy | Increased empathy for other bereaved parents and/or other suffering people. | 10.0 (3) |
| Relationships developed | Strengthening of relationships and/or formation of new personal relationships. | 10.0 (3) |
| Freedom | Description of a gain in time or freedom in consequence of the loss. | 10.0 (3) |
| Lifestyle improvements | Positive changes in life such as ending a difficult relationship. | 6.7 (2) |
| Support from others | Description of efforts made by family and/or friends following the loss. | 3.3 (1) |
| Benefits to others | Discussion of how consequences of the child's death benefited others (e.g., organ donation) or the society. | – |
| Relationships to other children | Discussion of giving birth to or adopting other children, or an improvement in relationships with other children (see Appreciation of others). | _ |
| Other themes | Other benefit-finding themes only one person mentioned. | 10.0 (3) |
Note: Italicized themes represent themes developed in the course of this study that were not already included in the themes of Lichtenthal et al. (2010).