TY - JOUR
T1 - Accessing support before or after a parent dies from cancer and young people’s current wellbeing
AU - Varathakeyan, A.
AU - McDonald, F. E. J.
AU - Patterson, Pandora
AU - Nicholson Perry, K.
AU - Allison, K. R.
PY - 2018
Y1 - 2018
N2 - Purpose To examine differences in distress and unmet needs between bereaved adolescent and young adult (AYA) offspring who accessed support before and after being bereaved by parental cancer, and to explore aspects of their cancer experience that influenced their help-seeking. Methods Phase 1: Surveys completed by AYAs (11–26 years) bereaved by parental cancer were subjected to analysis of covariance examining differences in distress and unmet needs between those who accessed support before (n = 159) and after (n = 212) parental bereavement. Phase 2: Semi structured interviews explored the cancer experiences of bereaved offspring (n = 8) and factors that influenced their decision to seek support. Results Phase 1: There were no significant group differences in distress and unmet needs; however, older and female AYAs reported higher levels of distress and unmet needs. Interestingly, individuals who accessed support pre bereavement were older on average (M = 17.35 years, SD = 3.26) than those who accessed support post bereavement (M = 15.73 years, SD = 3.26). Phase 2: Three themes emerged centred on socio-emotional developmental changes during and after the cancer trajectory. These related to: participants’ meaning-making and changes in understanding of the cancer experience, changing relationships and desires to fit in, and understanding of their own emotional needs. Conclusions While no differences were found in unmet needs and distress between those who sought support pre- or post bereavement, those seeking support pre-bereavement were older on average. Social and emotional development impacts how bereaved offspring access psychosocial support. Awareness of these issues can assist in improving support by ensuring services are age appropriate and families are sufficiently supported.
AB - Purpose To examine differences in distress and unmet needs between bereaved adolescent and young adult (AYA) offspring who accessed support before and after being bereaved by parental cancer, and to explore aspects of their cancer experience that influenced their help-seeking. Methods Phase 1: Surveys completed by AYAs (11–26 years) bereaved by parental cancer were subjected to analysis of covariance examining differences in distress and unmet needs between those who accessed support before (n = 159) and after (n = 212) parental bereavement. Phase 2: Semi structured interviews explored the cancer experiences of bereaved offspring (n = 8) and factors that influenced their decision to seek support. Results Phase 1: There were no significant group differences in distress and unmet needs; however, older and female AYAs reported higher levels of distress and unmet needs. Interestingly, individuals who accessed support pre bereavement were older on average (M = 17.35 years, SD = 3.26) than those who accessed support post bereavement (M = 15.73 years, SD = 3.26). Phase 2: Three themes emerged centred on socio-emotional developmental changes during and after the cancer trajectory. These related to: participants’ meaning-making and changes in understanding of the cancer experience, changing relationships and desires to fit in, and understanding of their own emotional needs. Conclusions While no differences were found in unmet needs and distress between those who sought support pre- or post bereavement, those seeking support pre-bereavement were older on average. Social and emotional development impacts how bereaved offspring access psychosocial support. Awareness of these issues can assist in improving support by ensuring services are age appropriate and families are sufficiently supported.
KW - bereavement
KW - cancer
KW - children of cancer patients
KW - help, seeking behavior
KW - teenagers
KW - young adults
UR - http://handle.westernsydney.edu.au:8081/1959.7/uws:49469
U2 - 10.1007/s00520-017-3891-5
DO - 10.1007/s00520-017-3891-5
M3 - Article
SN - 0941-4355
VL - 26
SP - 797
EP - 805
JO - Supportive Care in Cancer
JF - Supportive Care in Cancer
IS - 3
ER -