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Parents dying of cancer and their children

Estela A Beale1, Debra Sivesind, Eduardo Bruera

  • 1Department of Neuro-Oncology, Psychiatry Section, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030-4095, USA. ebeale@mdanderson.org

Palliative & Supportive Care
|April 6, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Children with a dying parent experience significant distress and show a deeper understanding of the illness than typically recognized. Early mental health intervention is crucial for coping and bereavement.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Psychology
  • Palliative Care
  • Child Psychiatry

Background:

  • Children of terminally ill parents face unique challenges.
  • Palliative Care and Symptom Control Services encounter these children.
  • The study focuses on children with a biological parent experiencing terminal cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the psychological and behavioral parameters in children with a terminally ill parent.
  • To understand children's coping mechanisms and distress levels.
  • To evaluate the need for specialized intervention.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 29 children of terminally ill patients were assessed.
  • Semi-structured interviews were conducted with children and their parents, individually and together.
  • Eleven key parameters of child distress and behavior were evaluated.

Main Results:

  • Children exhibited significant distress, including seeking reassurance, caretaker behaviors, separation anxiety, anger, despair, and guilt.
  • A notable proportion displayed aggressive behaviors, denial, blame, and health fears.
  • Children demonstrated a greater understanding of their parent's illness than anticipated.

Conclusions:

  • Children of terminally ill parents show significant distress and advanced understanding.
  • Timely intervention by child mental health professionals can improve coping and bereavement.
  • Further research is needed to fully characterize distress and long-term adjustment.
Abstract

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