title: Life transitions of adolescents and young adults with life-limiting conditions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A systematic review was conducted to appraise and classify evidence related to the life transitions of adolescents and young adults with life-limiting conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  The databases searched were MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, CancerLit, and AMED. Methodological quality was assessed using an established tool and the final articles included in the study were rated as moderate to high quality. Articles were then assessed based on the insight that they provided into life transitions for adolescents and young adults.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighteen studies were included in the final review, with two major life transitions identified as pertinent: 'illness transition' and 'developmental transition'. These concurrent transitions were found to be relevant to adolescents and young adults with life-limiting conditions, generating complex needs. Sub-themes within the transitions were also identified. Furthermore, the illness transition was found to also impact significant others, namely family members, having physical, mental and emotional health implications and requiring them to make adaptations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Future research is needed to focus on adolescent and young adult perspectives to bring further insight into these key transitions, since such perspectives are currently underrepresented. Attention to the impact of the illness on the whole family would be useful to expand findings from this review.
authors.affiliation: Nightingale Foundation Professor of Clinical Nursing Practice Research, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Scotland.
authors.forename: Bridget
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.affiliation: Professor of Education, Inclusion and Life Transitions, School of Education and Social Work, University of Dundee, Scotland.
authors.forename: Divya
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jindal-Snape
authors.affiliation: Research Fellow, University of Edinburgh, Scotland.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pringle
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development; D000328:Adult; D001932:Brain Neoplasms; D002648:Child; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis; D018450:Disease Progression; D004644:Emotions; D005190:Family; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D020388:Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases; D019452:Terminally Ill; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adolescents; Life transitions; Life-limiting conditions; Young adults