Reviews
'Provides a welcome benchmark for future research on the impact of a parent's death on an adult child. It covers a wide range of topics, and thoughtfully considers implications of the findings ... Should be of considerable interest to those who are doing research or are involved in clinical practice concerning dying, death, and bereavement.' Death Studies, "Provides a welcome benchmark for future research on the impact of a parent's death on an adult child. It covers a wide range of topics, and thoughtfully considers implications of the findings....Should be of considerable interest to those who are doing research or are involved in clinical practice concerning dying, death, and bereavement." --Death Studies, 'Umberson comes to some truly illuminating conclusions ... This clear insightful study provides a unique combination of research-based self-help and scholarly enterprise. Highly recommended ...'Library Journal, 'A book to be taken seriously. With so much richness of ideas, such diversity of issues addressed, and based on so much data, this book is essential reading for anyone who researches or teaches about bereavement following the death of a parent. Furthermore, this will be a useful, perhaps even cherished book for many who struggle personally with the death of a parent.'Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 'Provides a welcome benchmark for future research on the impact of a parent’s death on an adult child. It covers a wide range of topics, and thoughtfully considers implications of the findings ... Should be of considerable interest to those who are doing research or are involved in clinical practice concerning dying, death, and bereavement.'Death Studies, "In the 1980s researchers collected data in a US study that looked at adults' thoughts, feelings and behaviours to do with the death of their parent. Author Debra Umberson was among the researchers on the team. Years later, she has crafted this solid book about transition to a new identity after the loss of a parent. It is a book that transcends gender and cultural borders. It is useful to clients, counsellors, researchers and educators dealing with death, dying, bereavement and adult development." -- Robin Raniero Norris, Psychotherapist and counselor, MA, MFT, 'Umberson comes to some truly illuminating conclusions … This clear insightful study provides a unique combination of research-based self-help and scholarly enterprise. Highly recommended …' Library Journal, 'A book to be taken seriously. With so much richness of ideas, such diversity of issues addressed, and based on so much data, this book is essential reading for anyone who researches or teaches about bereavement following the death of a parent. Furthermore, this will be a useful, perhaps even cherished book for many who struggle personally with the death of a parent.' Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, '… the book contains many reassuring snippets of advice for 'adult orphans', and the reflections of the interview participants will surely be of interest to others in similar circumstances, allowing them to compare and normalise their own responses.' Cruse Bereavement Care, "This is an excellent, insightful volume that can be highly recommended. It is a much-needed addition to the literature, not least because everyone has to face the possibility of parental loss sooner or later; an eloquent account and some sound scientifically-derived knowledge may help readers through the maze of emotions associated with this distinctive type of loss." --Contemporary Sociology, "This is an excellent, insightful volume that can be highly recommended. It is a much-needed addition to the literature, not least because everyone has to face the possibility of parental loss sooner or later; an eloquent account and some sound scientifically-derived knowledge may help readers through the maze of emotions associated with this distinctive type of loss." Contemporary Sociology, 'A very comprehensive review … Umberson has provided an interesting work which spans various concerns that adults, from varying backgrounds and ages, have experienced with the loss of a parent … impressive … well organized … Umberson's research makes powerful statements that resonate with one's own experiences.' Journal of Marriage and Family, 'Provides a welcome benchmark for future research on the impact of a parent's death on an adult child. It covers a wide range of topics, and thoughtfully considers implications of the findings … Should be of considerable interest to those who are doing research or are involved in clinical practice concerning dying, death, and bereavement.' Death Studies, "A book to be taken seriously. With so much richness of ideas, such diversity of issues addressed, and based on so much data, this book is essential reading for anyone who researches or teaches about bereavement following the death of a parent. Furthermore, this will be a useful, perhaps even cherished book for many who struggle personally with the death of a parent." --Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, "Umberson comes to some truly illuminating conclusions.... This clear insightful study provides a unique combination of research-based self-help and scholarly enterprise. Highly recommended...." --Library Journal, 'Provides a welcome benchmark for future research on the impact of a parent's death on an adult child. It covers a wide range of topics, and thoughtfully considers implications of the findings ... Should be of considerable interest to those who are doing research or are involved in clinical practice concerning dying, death, and bereavement.'Death Studies, 'A very comprehensive review ... Umberson has provided an interesting work which spans various concerns that adults, from varying backgrounds and ages, have experienced with the loss of a parent ... impressive ... well organized ... Umberson's research makes powerful statements that resonate with one's own experiences.' Journal of Marriage and Family, "A very comprehensive review....Umberson has provided an interesting work which spans various concerns that adults, from varying backgrounds and ages, have experienced with the loss of a parent....impressive.... well organized....Umberson's research makes powerful statements that resonate with one's own experiences." Journal of Marriage and Family, "Umberson has mined a rich and largely untapped vein of universal human experience. She deftly presents these engaging voices in a context that will continue to inspire research and practice in this area." Nancy Hall, Yale University