Children and the communication of values through significant emotional events

Abstract

This study addresses how parents communicate with their children about Significant Emotional Events (SEEs). A SEE is an experience that is so mentally engaging as to cause an individual to consider, examine, and possibly change one's initial values or value system. It examines parent's goals, concerns, and values related to SEE communication. A SEE involving family violence and death was selected for this study. Interviews were conducted with seven parents about the communication that they had with their children about the SEE. The interviews were transcribed and subsequently analyzed. Analysis of the interviews reveal a number of themes (e.g., sickness and mental health), and values (e.g., honesty, trust, sympathy, understanding, right and wrong).