Black Mothers' Cognitive Process of Finding Meaning and Building Resilience after Loss of a Child to Gun Violence

Abstract

Loss of a child to gun violence is a traumatic experience that can leave parents in a state of trepidation, unable to find meaning. Meaning-making, learned from a cognitive system of appraisal, is central to their grieving process, especially in making sense of their loss. For black mothers, who are disproportionately affected by homicide loss, the phenomenon of making meaning remains overlooked. A sequential mixed-method approach is used to explore the cognitive process of black mothers in finding meaning and building resilience following loss of their children to gun violence. The quantitative aspect of this study demonstrated a relationship between black mothers' resilience and cognitive reappraisal (β = –0.476, t =–0.3.628, p = 0.001, R2 = 0.226, F(1,45) = 13.159, p = 0.001). A subsequent qualitative approach clarified how ten black mothers constructed meaning of their loss and built resilience, and the factors involved in this process. Content analysis showed that finding meaning and achieving personal growth were influenced by social and cultural factors and grounded in spirituality. Interventions for black mothers who suffer gun violence loss should consider these factors in promoting growth and recovery.