Year: 2007
Type: dissertation
Abstract: One in 600 children develops cancer before the age of 15 (Cancer-UK 2004). The \nfocus on providing supportive care throughout the course of a child's treatment is \nrightly prioritised. However, the provision of effective bereavement care must not be \nneglected. Although there are differences between diagnostic groups, approximately \n30% of children die of cancer or resulting condition. \nThe aim of this study was to elicit from parents who had lost a child to cancer their \nexperiences of support following their child's death. The study focussed on what \naspects of support were positive and which aspects of support parents would have \nwished changed or supplemented. \nData sources included narrative accounts written by bereaved parents, interviews, \nobservations and fieldwork in bereavement support groups and conferences. Data \nrecorded in a personal reflective journal was also included. The data was analysed \nusing Roper and Shapira's (2000) four stage strategy for analysing ethnographic data. \nThemes relating to the support needs of parents whose child has died of cancer were \nidentified. \nThe findings indicated that parents wanted comprehensive care from professionals \nduring the terminal stages of their child's illness and following their child's death. \nParents found the 24 hour availability of a professional person who knew the family as \na valued source of support. Continued contact with those who had cared for the child \nprior to his or her death was appreciated. Parents identified that there was a need for \ninformation about support groups. It was suggested that a voluntary database for \nbereaved parents whereby parents whose child had died from a similar condition could \ncontact each other. Support for bereaved siblings was important. \nFurther research in this area could include an exploration of support needs of siblings, \ngrandparents, parents who have lost their only child and needs of parents who have \nlost an adult child to cancer.
Author: SA Roberts
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2515006545