Reflections on Experiencing Parental Bereavement as a Young Person: A Retrospective Qualitative Study.
Int J Environ Res Public Health
; 19(4)2022 02 13.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1686779
ABSTRACT
Background:
It is estimated that approximately 41,000 children and young people experience the death of a parent each year. Grief responses, such as anxiety and depression, can follow. This research investigated the adult reflections of experiencing parental death as a young person.Methods:
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with adults (N = 14; female n = 8) who experienced parental death as a young person, which occurred over 5 years ago (time since death, M = 12.9 years; age at death, M = 16.4 years; age at interview, M = 30.9 years). The data were analysed inductively using thematic analysis.Results:
Seven themes revealed that parental bereavement can lead to (1) "Distance and isolation" and is an (2) "Emotional journey" with (3) a "Physical impact". Many experienced (4) "Post-traumatic growth" but acknowledged that (5) "Life will never be the same", highlighting the importance of (6) "Support and understanding" and triggers for (7) "Re-grief".Conclusions:
Parental bereavement has significant emotional and physical consequences, but can also lead to personal growth. Talking therapies were rarely accessed, often due to a lack of awareness or desire to engage, revealing a translational gap between existing support services and uptake. Enabling open conversations about grief and identifying suitable support is a public health priority. This need has been amplified since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, which may be a trigger for grief empathy and re-grief in those who have already been bereaved.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Bereavement
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Qualitative research
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Child
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
English
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Ijerph19042083
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