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Method - Developing the Report
1 A national and international literature search was undertaken searching across the disciplines most likely to be involved in the area under inquiry.
A systemic literature search was performed to identify publications relating to the experiences of families and friends of missing people.
Seven electronic databases were examined: MEDLINE (1996-2001), PsychINFO (1984-2001), SOCIOFILE (1974-2001), CINAHL (1983-2001), Dissertation Abstracts International (1861-2001), the Cochrane Library (1996-2001) and Journals@Ovid. The following keywords were used in the search, and were exploded to Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) where appropriate; “grief”, “counselling”, “models”, anticipatory”, “missing people”, “threat”, “coping”, “family”, “non-specific”, “ambiguous”, “kidnapping”, “uncertain”, “death”, “loss”, “chaotic”, “missing in action”, “pathological”, and “traumatic”. Each keyword was additionally combined with other keywords to refine the search.
Although over 180 publications in relation to grief and loss were located, only five related specifically to the experience of families and friends of missing people, indicating an area that theory and research have relatively ignored. The information presented in this summary links the experience of families and friends of missing people with the generalised grief and loss models, and incorporates information gained from consultation with those listed below.
2 Organisations* known to be involved in search and tracing activities were asked to offer their experience by way of submission.
3 Senior counselling clinicians and counselling education academics were involved in focus groups.
4 Draft copies of the report were circulated to the reference group for comment.
* Families and Friends of Missing Persons Group Inc
Kids Helpline
Community Tracing Section, NSW Police Service
Link-up (NSW) Aboriginal Corp
Tracing and Refugee Services, Australian Red Cross NSW
Missing Person Committee (NSW) Inc
Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service
Counselling Services, Mission Australia
International Social Service, NSW
Family Tracing & Special Search Services, The Salvation Army
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