Date of Conferral

5-15-2025

Date of Award

May 2025

Degree

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)

School

Psychology

Advisor

Ethel Perry

Abstract

Black family caregivers in the United States experienced disproportionately high mortality rates due to COVID-19, resulting in many Black children becoming orphans. The unexpected loss placed a burden on these family caregivers, who navigated their grief while taking on new caregiving responsibilities. Limited studies explored how Black family caregivers experienced the meaning of COVID grief, loss, and coping strategies. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to gain an understanding of the meaning of grief, loss, and coping strategies for Black family caregivers of COVID orphans, guided by Worden’s task-based approach to supporting people bereaved by COVID-19 and Folkman’s psychological coping and the grief process. The research question was “What is the meaning of COVID-19 grief, loss, and coping strategies for Black family caregivers of COVID orphans?” A convenience sample of nine Black family caregivers participated in semi-structured interviews. Data analysis identified 17 key structural outcomes of grief, loss, and coping strategies: sudden family loss, disrupted family dynamics, emotional void, persistent emotional pain, isolation in grief, seeking counseling, religious support, family bonding, community support, distraction activities, enhanced support resources, respite support, financial support, cultural, and spiritual support, unaddressed challenges, strength and resilience, and future suggestions. Results revealed participants’ lifestyles changed because of the intensity of grief and caregiving responsibilities. Implications for positive social change include educating behavioral health and policy organizations in the development of targeted programs and services for Black family caregivers of COVID orphans.

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