Descriptions of Comfort in the Social Networks Surrounding a Dying Child

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe how comforters of one dying child were comforted, described by the child's mother and nurse. Background: The death of a child is one of the greatest losses parents can sustain and a stressful experience for nurses. Those who provide comfort may also need comfort, yet little is known about how comforters are comforted. Method: The interviews with mother and nurse were analysed using content analysis. Persons and activities mentioned as comforting were outlined in a sociogram. Findings: The findings show that the mother received comfort from her child and family, the nurse, extended family and others close to the family. She found comfort in being involved in the care and sharing worries with the nurse and in self-comfort. She described that siblings found comfort in each other, in living everyday life, in music and in expressing their feelings in drawings. The nurse gained comfort from sharing hardships with colleagues and a relative and from making a difference to the child. Conclusion: The findings provide a picture of interacting comforting social networks surrounding one dying child.