Early Parental Adjustment and Bereavement after Childhood Cancer Death
Date: 2009
Author(s): Barrera, M., O’Connor, K., D’Agostino, N.M., Spencer, L., Nicholas, D., Jovcevska, V., Tallet, S., & Schneiderman, G.
Journal: Death Studies, 33, 1-24
This study comprehensively explored parental bereavement and adjustment at six months post-loss due to childhood cancer. Interviews were conducted with 18mothers and 13 fathers. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed based on qualitative methodology. A model describing early parental bereavement and adaptation emerged with three domains: Perception of the Child, describing bereavement and adjustment prior to and after the loss; Perception of Others, including relationships with partners, surviving children, and their social network; and 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.
