The Effectiveness of Family Resiliency Program with Traumatic Grief on Women’s Post-Traumatic Stress, Grief and Family Resiliency Level

Abstract

This experimental research investigated the effects of Family Resiliency Program (FRP) on post-traumatic stress, grief, and family resiliency level for women with traumatic grief. The study was conducted with 24 women who applied to the non-governmental organization between 2012 and 2013 due to the traumatic loss of their husbands and who obtained a high score on the post-traumatic stress disorder checklist civil version (PCL-C), and the grief inventory (GI), and a low score on the family resiliency scale (FRS) in pre-test assessment. The experimental group (n=12) received an eight session (FRP) intervention developed by the researcher. A group of women in a control group (n=12) received no intervention. To determine the immediate and long-term effects of the FRP program with traumatic grief, post-tests (PLC-C, GI, FRS) were given to the experimental and control group in two and a half month and six month intervals, respectively. In data analysis of this study two way repetead measures Anova was used. In study results, FRP for women with traumatic grief was found to be significantly effective in decreasing post-traumatic stress and grief levels and increasing family resiliency level. The effects of the program persisted during the follow-up tests. The results of this research were discussed in light of the literature, with recommendations presented for counselors and researchers.