Systematic review of psychosocial morbidities among bereaved parents of children with cancer
- PMID: 22038675
- PMCID: PMC3270147
- DOI: 10.1002/pbc.23386
Systematic review of psychosocial morbidities among bereaved parents of children with cancer
Abstract
The objective of this review was to comprehensively summarize existing studies utilizing validated instruments to measure psychosocial outcomes among bereaved parents of children with cancer. This population has increased risks of anxiety, depression, prolonged grief, and poor quality of life. Parental morbidity is associated with psychiatric co-morbidities, prior loss, economic hardship, duration, and intensity of child's cancer-therapy, perceptions of medical care, child's quality of life, preparedness for and location of the child's death. Rigorous, prospective research is needed to identify risk-groups, define outcomes, and design interventions which will improve parental outcomes after the death of a child due to cancer.
Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Conflict of interest statement
None of the authors has a conflict of interest to disclose.
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