Losing a parent to cancer: a preliminary investigation into the needs of adolescents and young adults

Abstract

Objective: Research into parental loss has led to an understanding of the types of reactions and responses that children, and to a lesser extent adolescents and young adults, have when a parent dies. Only limited studies, however, have directly investigated the psychosocial needs of young people during this period. The aim of the current study was to identify and better understand the needs of adolescents and young adults who have lost a parent to cancer, and to ascertain the extent to which these needs had been met.

Method: As the study is exploratory in nature, a qualitative questionnaire was used to explore the needs and unmet needs of adolescents and young adults who have had a parent die of cancer. Sixty-two parentally bereaved young people aged 12-23 participated.

Results: The data were thematically analyzed and seven conceptually distinct need themes emerged, namely: support and understanding; help coping with feelings; to talk to people who have had a similar experience; information; have a break/have fun; space and time to grieve; and help with household responsibilities.

Significance of results: The research findings will assist health professionals in developing services and interventions which are more responsive to the needs of parentally bereaved young people.