Early parental adjustment and bereavement after childhood cancer death.
This study comprehensively explored parental bereavement and adjustment at 6 months post-loss due to childhood cancer. Interviews were conducted with 18 mothers and 13 fathers. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed based on qualitative methodology. A model describing early parental bereavement and adaptation emerged with 3 domains: (1) Perception of the Child, describing bereavement and adjustment prior to and after the loss; (2) Perception of Others, including relationships with partners, surviving children, and their social network; and (3) Perception of the World, exploring parents' perceived meanings of the experience in the context of their worldview. Domains are illustrated by quotes. Profiles of parental bereavement emerged.
Barrera
Maru
M
Department of Psychology, Haematology/Oncology Program, Child Health Evaluative Sciences Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. maru.barrera@sickkids.ca
O'Connor
Kathleen
K
D'Agostino
Norma Mammone
NM
Spencer
Lynlee
L
Nicholas
David
D
Jovcevska
Vesna
V
Tallet
Susan
S
Schneiderman
Gerald
G
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001601:Bereavement; D002170:Canada; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology*; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D055815:Young Adult