Psychosocial outcomes in cancer-bereaved children and adolescents – A systematic review
A partir d'une revue systématique de la littérature (24 études), cette étude analyse les symptômes psychosociaux (dépression, anxiété) d'enfants et d'adolescents ayant perdu un membre de leur famille décédé de cancer
Résumé en anglais
Objective : Due to the unique importance of parental and sibling relationships and concurrently existing developmental challenges, the loss of a parent or sibling due to cancer is a highly stressful event for children and adolescents. This is the first systematic review that integrates findings on psychosocial outcomes after parental or sibling cancer bereavement.
Methods : A systematic search of Web of Science, PubMed, PsycINFO, and PubPsych was conducted, last in December 2017. Quantitative studies on psychosocial outcomes of children and adolescents who lost a parent or sibling due to cancer were included.
Results : Twenty-four studies (N=10 parental and N=14 sibling bereavement), based on 13 projects, were included. Ten projects had cross-sectional designs. Only 2 projects used large, population-based samples and non-bereaved comparison groups. Outcomes were partially measured by single-item questions. Bereaved children and adolescents showed similar levels of depression and anxiety compared to non-bereaved or norms. Severe behavioral problems were found rarely. However, in 2 large, population-based studies about half of the bereaved individuals reported unresolved grief. Bereaved adolescents had a higher risk for self-injury compared to the general population in one large, population-based study. Communication with healthcare professionals, the family and other people, social support, distress during illness, age, gender, and time since loss were associated with psychosocial bereavement outcomes.
Conclusions : Results indicate a high level of adjustment in cancer-bereaved children and adolescents. A modifiable risk factor for adverse psychosocial consequences is poor communication. Prospective designs, representative samples, and validated instruments, e.g., for prolonged grief, are suggested for future research.
