The Effects of a Parent Guidance Intervention on Communication among Adolescents Who Have Experienced the Sudden Death of a Sibling

This study examined the effectiveness of an intensive parent guidance intervention with bereaved adolescents relative to communication. Five adolescents participated in the study, all of whom had experienced the sudden death of a sibling 12 to 24 months prior to the research study. Based on a single-case design, the results reflected a strong pattern of increased communication between the adolescents and their parents during and after the intervention. This study demonstrates that helping bereaved adolescents recognize the importance of communication skills in everyday life allows them to feel understood, acknowledged, and less alone in their grief.