The Stress and Coping of Shiduers on Special Days: A Qualitative Study in China

Shiduers are individuals who have lost their only child. These individuals have a high risk of physical and mental health issues. To explore the well-being of shiduers on special days, in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 shiduers. An analysis of the results revealed that shiduers regarded different days as special. The stressors experienced by shiduers on special days included contrast-type stressors and meaning-type stressors. Stress responses included cognitive responses, emotional responses and physiological–behavioral responses. Coping styles included associative coping, confrontation coping, diverting coping, avoidance coping and religious coping. The factors that influenced the stress process included individual differences and social support. An amplifier model is proposed to explain shiduers’ stress and coping on special days. The amplifier model suggests that special days highlight their identity as shiduers, thus amplifying the grief response. Increasing the level of support from communities, social organizations and peers would be helpful.