Young adults' reactions to the death of a parent

Reactions to the death of a parent were explored in a sample of 19 adults, who were 20-39 years at the time of their parents' deaths. The majority of the young adults' parents died of cancer or heart disease in a hospital setting. Young adults' grief was often profound and accompanied by varying degrees of somatic and psychological disruption. The adults expressed a need for support and recognition of the fact that their loss was significant. Dealing with personal grief frequently was complicated by the restructuring of relationships within the family of origin. The young adults experiencing the death of a parent reported expanded perceptions of life, altered sensitivity to the passage of time, and increased importance of family ties. Nurses can assist young adults at the time of a parent's death by providing anticipatory guidance and interpersonal support.