I Am Because You Were: Making Meaning of Parental Loss Through Narrative Identity in Adolescence
Location
Student Center
Document Type
Poster
Start Date
27-8-2026 11:40 AM
End Date
27-8-2026 12:40 PM
Description
Losing a parent to terminal illness during adolescence is a life-changing experience that can shape an individual’s lifelong development. Although many researchers have examined grief, coping, and resilience following parental loss, less is known about how adolescents integrate parental loss into their personal narratives. This literature review will examine the relationship between parental bereavement, narrative identity, and meaning-making during adolescence and into emerging adulthood. To explore this topic, I will analyze current peer-reviewed research to examine existing findings and highlight the limited research examining how adolescents integrate parental loss into their developing identities. Current research proposes that parental loss during adolescence influences identity development. Furthermore, narrative identity helps individuals make sense of parental loss within their evolving sense of self. I argue that understanding the interaction between narrative identity and meaning-making can inform interventions that better support bereaved adolescents and emerging adults.
I Am Because You Were: Making Meaning of Parental Loss Through Narrative Identity in Adolescence
Student Center
Losing a parent to terminal illness during adolescence is a life-changing experience that can shape an individual’s lifelong development. Although many researchers have examined grief, coping, and resilience following parental loss, less is known about how adolescents integrate parental loss into their personal narratives. This literature review will examine the relationship between parental bereavement, narrative identity, and meaning-making during adolescence and into emerging adulthood. To explore this topic, I will analyze current peer-reviewed research to examine existing findings and highlight the limited research examining how adolescents integrate parental loss into their developing identities. Current research proposes that parental loss during adolescence influences identity development. Furthermore, narrative identity helps individuals make sense of parental loss within their evolving sense of self. I argue that understanding the interaction between narrative identity and meaning-making can inform interventions that better support bereaved adolescents and emerging adults.