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The impairment of Presidents Pierce and Coolidge after traumatic bereavement.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Davidson, JRT; Connor, KM
Published in: Compr Psychiatry
2008

The impact of bereavement in heads of government has been little studied. Two US presidents lost their teenaged sons in a traumatic manner, leaving them profoundly affected as they struggled to serve in office. We describe the bereavements of Presidents Franklin Pierce and Calvin Coolidge, using biographical and source material. Pierce and Coolidge were adversely affected by their bereavements, which almost certainly rendered them less effective in the discharge of their duties. The loss of their sons had a devastating effect on both men and deprived their presidential service of significant personal meaning. Lincoln's resilience in similar circumstances offers a contrasting perspective, however. We conclude that the psychiatric consequences of losing a child can adversely affect heads of government, may cause clinically significant distress, altered behavior, and reduced ability to provide effective leadership.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Compr Psychiatry

DOI

EISSN

1532-8384

Publication Date

2008

Volume

49

Issue

4

Start / End Page

413 / 419

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
  • Psychiatry
  • Politics
  • Male
  • Leadership
  • Humans
  • History, 20th Century
  • History, 19th Century
  • Grief
 

Citation

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Davidson, J. R. T., & Connor, K. M. (2008). The impairment of Presidents Pierce and Coolidge after traumatic bereavement. Compr Psychiatry, 49(4), 413–419. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2008.02.002
Davidson, Jonathan R. T., and Kathryn M. Connor. “The impairment of Presidents Pierce and Coolidge after traumatic bereavement.Compr Psychiatry 49, no. 4 (2008): 413–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2008.02.002.
Davidson JRT, Connor KM. The impairment of Presidents Pierce and Coolidge after traumatic bereavement. Compr Psychiatry. 2008;49(4):413–9.
Davidson, Jonathan R. T., and Kathryn M. Connor. “The impairment of Presidents Pierce and Coolidge after traumatic bereavement.Compr Psychiatry, vol. 49, no. 4, 2008, pp. 413–19. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2008.02.002.
Davidson JRT, Connor KM. The impairment of Presidents Pierce and Coolidge after traumatic bereavement. Compr Psychiatry. 2008;49(4):413–419.
Journal cover image

Published In

Compr Psychiatry

DOI

EISSN

1532-8384

Publication Date

2008

Volume

49

Issue

4

Start / End Page

413 / 419

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
  • Psychiatry
  • Politics
  • Male
  • Leadership
  • Humans
  • History, 20th Century
  • History, 19th Century
  • Grief