Post-traumatic growth following the death of a parent from homicide: A reflective perspective from adulthood

Although there is considerable research into the impact of homicide on surviving family members, research is limited on subjective experiences of those who lost a parent due to homicide during childhood. Through interpretative phenomenological analysis, we conducted and analyzed in-depth semi-structured interviews, to explore lived experiences and perspectives of post-traumatic growth with adults who lost a parent due to homicide as a child. We developed five group experiential themes: 1. "The turning point": A catalyst for change. 2. The process of growth: It's "not very glamorous!" 3. "That's how I chose to survive": Facilitators to developing growth. 4. "When systems harm people": Barriers to developing growth. 5. "It's like my soul work": Creating positive change. Participants' experienced a turning point, which propelled them to begin journeys of trauma processing and subsequent growth. Participants highlighted complexities faced on their journeys, facilitators and barriers to growth, and used their experiences to create positive change and find meaning.