The Development of a Bereavement Support Group Curriculum for Bereaved Parents of Young Adult Children: Bridging the Gap. 2024

Sue E Morris, and Annelise K Ryan, and Paige Malinowski, and Cristina Pozo-Kaderman, and Karen M Fasciano
Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

There is limited research addressing the bereavement needs of parents whose young adult (YA) children have died from cancer. Research within oncology about the impact of child loss has tended to focus on parents of pediatric aged children. We adapted a general bereavement support group curriculum used with adults to address the unique needs of bereaved parents of YAs. Using a quality improvement framework, 25 bereaved parents of YA children participated in one of three 6-session bereavement support group programs during 2020 and 2021. Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the programs were offered virtually. The participants provided feedback and completed an evaluation. Nineteen mothers and six fathers participated with 20 (80%) completing the evaluation. The median time since the death of their child was 6 months. The participants evaluated the program highly, reporting that they felt less isolated (4.25/5 on a 5-point Likert scale); that their concerns were similar to others (4.45/5); and the discussion topics were relevant (4.20/5). Other topics that were identified included the impact on the family of losing a YA child, and how other relationships change. Forty-five percent of participants expressed a preference for a hybrid delivery model, incorporating in-person and virtual sessions. The majority also wished to continue meeting monthly, given they had little contact with other bereaved parents of YAs. The general bereavement support group curriculum was readily adapted for use with bereaved parents of YA children who died from cancer. A hybrid delivery model was the preferred method for future groups.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009369 Neoplasms New abnormal growth of tissue. Malignant neoplasms show a greater degree of anaplasia and have the properties of invasion and metastasis, compared to benign neoplasms. Benign Neoplasm,Cancer,Malignant Neoplasm,Tumor,Tumors,Benign Neoplasms,Malignancy,Malignant Neoplasms,Neoplasia,Neoplasm,Neoplasms, Benign,Cancers,Malignancies,Neoplasias,Neoplasm, Benign,Neoplasm, Malignant,Neoplasms, Malignant
D010290 Parents Persons functioning as natural, adoptive, or substitute parents. The heading includes the concept of parenthood as well as preparation for becoming a parent. Step-Parents,Parental Age,Parenthood Status,Stepparent,Age, Parental,Ages, Parental,Parent,Parental Ages,Status, Parenthood,Step Parents,Step-Parent,Stepparents
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D001601 Bereavement Refers to the whole process of grieving and mourning and is associated with a deep sense of loss and sadness. Bereavements
D012657 Self-Help Groups Organizations which provide an environment encouraging social interactions through group activities or individual relationships especially for the purpose of rehabilitating or supporting patients, individuals with common health problems, or the elderly. They include therapeutic social clubs. Social Clubs, Therapeutic,Support Groups,Clubs, Therapeutic Social,Therapeutic Social Clubs,Club, Therapeutic Social,Group, Self-Help,Group, Support,Groups, Self-Help,Groups, Support,Self Help Groups,Self-Help Group,Social Club, Therapeutic,Support Group,Therapeutic Social Club
D055815 Young Adult A person between 19 and 24 years of age. Adult, Young,Adults, Young,Young Adults
D032721 Adult Children Children who have reached maturity or the legal age of majority. Adult Offspring,Children, Adult,Offspring, Adult,Adult Daughters,Adult Sons,Adult Daughter,Adult Son,Daughter, Adult,Daughters, Adult,Son, Adult,Sons, Adult

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