A Systematic Review of Grief Experiences of Children Who Have Lost a Sibling

Background: Children who lose a sibling often receive inadequate attention, leading to lasting psychological and emotional challenges. Health care providers recognize the importance of comprehensive bereavement support but may lack knowledge for effective delivery. Aim: This study sought to analyze and synthesize primary research on children bereaved by a sibling to gain insight into their actual grieving experiences. Methods: A systematic review of qualitative studies was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology. The review protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022289604). Electronic databases including MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycInfo, Scopus, and Igaku Chuo Zasshi were searched from inception to April 15, 2024. Critical appraisal was performed using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research. Results: Twenty-three articles met inclusion criteria, synthesizing experiences of 466 children. Four synthesized findings were generated: Children recognized internal and external changes in themselves after losing their siblings; children found it hard to believe their sibling had died, experienced feelings of loss and fear of death, and sometimes hid their emotions; various types of grief work allowed children to find their place after the loss, but ineffective grief work led to prolonged grief; and children’s relationships with others were either strengthened or weakened depending on others’ understanding and reactions to the loss. Conclusions: This review highlights the complex nature of sibling grief in children. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing children’s unique grief experiences, facilitating effective grief work, and providing appropriate support from family, friends, and health care professionals. The findings suggest a need for tailored grief support programs for children who have lost siblings, considering their cultural backgrounds. However, the low ConQual score of the synthesized findings indicates that recommendations should be considered with caution.