The impact of bereavement on young people from a sociological and financial perspective

Abstract

Young people who experience the death of a parent find that this has a major impact on their lives. The aim of this study is to examine how bereaved young people aged between twenty-four and thirty years have tackled such an experience. This study will include whether they found emotional and financial support, as well as the impact on their educational journey. For this purpose, primary data will be generated through semi-structured interviews conducted among six bereaved young people. The information gathered will be analysed by using sociological literature. Some of the areas that will be analysed are the participants’ social status, in respect of the obstacles they encountered in life as a result of such a tragic experience. Other areas to be examined are: increased responsibility towards their household, the social-economic impact, and financial difficulties, which could also include transport and financial difficulties to join in extracurricular activities, and lack of emotional support from professionals or family. A number of variables will be taken into consideration, mainly age and their local social-economic status. Participants of this study will have the opportunity to participate in a focus group, be empowered to voice their opinion, and come up with any areas for improvement in this regard. The focus group will be established among participants so as to discuss and come up with recommendations, which could be used as a tool to set up measures that could help youth policy makers and service providers to address the difficulties that other bereaved young people might be experiencing. The findings of the study include suggestions by participants aiming to help other bereaved young people experiencing a parental loss. This will comprise a variety of recommendations which include the provision of more accessible and useful support services. The implications of such recommendations will also be considered.