Perceptions of the Absence and Reintegration of a Prisoner of War Father from the Perspective of His Children as Adults

摘要

The studied test case presents the adult voices of Israeli children whose fathers were prisoners of war (POWs) in Egypt from 1969 to 1973. The study’s findings indicate long-term effects of the captivity on the children of POWs, and that an inner formative experience associated with the period of the father’s absence remains despite his return. The findings are explained by means of ambiguous loss theories and by loss and bereavement theories. Recommendations emerge for ambiguous loss to be recognized as a stress situation, and for professional and social assistance to be provided for the family in building a life routine that does not freeze in place, but continues during the father’s absence and after his return...