Reflections on experiencing parental bereavement as a young person: a retrospective qualitative study
Affiliation
University of BedfordshireUniversity College London
University of Hertfordshire
Queen’s University Belfast
Issue Date
2022-02-13
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
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.Citation
Chater AM, Howlett N, Shorter GW, Zakrzewski-Fruer JK, Williams J (2022) 'Reflections on experiencing parental bereavement as a young person: a retrospective qualitative study', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19 (4), pp.2083-.Publisher
MDPIPubMed ID
35206275PubMed Central ID
PMC8872611Additional Links
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/4/2083Type
ArticleLanguage
enISSN
1661-7827ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.3390/ijerph19042083
Scopus Count
Collections
The following license files are associated with this item:
- Creative Commons
Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as Green - can archive pre-print and post-print or publisher's version/PDF
Related articles
- Parental perspectives on the grief and support needs of children and young people bereaved during the COVID-19 pandemic: qualitative findings from a national survey.
- Authors: Harrop E, Goss S, Longo M, Seddon K, Torrens-Burton A, Sutton E, Farnell DJ, Penny A, Nelson A, Byrne A, Selman LE
- Issue date: 2022 Oct 10
- Does Post-Traumatic Growth Follow Parental Death in Adulthood? An Empirical Investigation.
- Authors: Qasim K, Carson J
- Issue date: 2022 Nov
- Narratives of loss: the impact of Covid-19 lockdown on experiences of loss, grief, and bereavement.
- Authors: Dew R, Heath L, Egan R
- Issue date: 2022 Dec
- Remembering Friends: Exploring the Bereavement Support Needs of Teenagers and Young Adults Experiencing the Death of a Friend in the Cancer Setting.
- Authors: Mackland AE, Wright L
- Issue date: 2022 Apr
- Bereavement Needs Assessment in Nurses: Elaboration and Content Validation of a Professional Traumatic Grief Scale.
- Authors: Gilart E, Lepiani I, Dueñas M, Cantizano Nuñez MJ, Baena BG, Bocchino A
- Issue date: 2022 Mar 3