Adolescent sibling bereavement as a catalyst for spiritual development: A model for understanding

While our understanding of adolescent bereavement has greatly expanded in r ecent years, one area yet to be clarified is the relationship between grief following a significant loss and spirituality. This article strengthens ou r understanding of this connection in two ways. First, the authors present a conceptual model explaining how developmental changes in cognitive capaci ty during the adolescent life stage make it possible to challenge one's bel iefs and search for new meaning. The crisis of experiencing the death of a sibling during this period has the potential, then, of serving as a catalys t for enhanced spirituality-defined as a quest for new meaning. Secondly, i nterviews with four adolescents following the death of a sibling add more d etailed understanding of that quest for meaning. Quotations drawn from thes e interviews illustrate these young persons' shifting perspective of self, others, the sibling relationship, a higher power, death, and life.