About this study
Parents often feel deep, lasting grief after their child dies of cancer. Some parents have grief that does not get better over time and develop depression, which can affect their daily life, mood, and health. Doctors and researchers want to find the best ways to support these parents. There are different types of grief support programs, but it is not clear which one works best for parents with lasting grief.
This study looks at 3 types of support for parents grieving the death of their children to cancer:
- Meaning-centered grief therapy: Helps parents find meaning and purpose in their lives after the child’s death
- Supportive counseling: Gives parents a safe place to talk and share their feelings
- Enhanced usual care: Includes the support parents would normally receive (counseling with a therapist), along with extra helpful resources
During 3 counseling sessions, parents will be video- or audio-recorded with their permission. They may ask to stop the video recording at any time, and this request will not affect whether they can take part in the study
Researchers will measure how each program affects grief and depression over time. They will also look at other areas such as:
- Anxiety
- Hope
- Quality of life
- How bereaved parents cope
Participants will also be asked to answer a set of questions about their mental and emotional health and their behavior at 5 different times during the study. The researchers will look for changes as they take part. These changes will be tracked for several months to see if the support programs help parents feel better and function in daily life.
This study aims to learn which type of support works best for parents with long-lasting grief after the death of a child to cancer and how these programs can improve emotional health and well-being.
Eligibility overview
- Age 18 or older
- Parent of a child who died from cancer at least 6 months ago
- Has high levels of grief symptoms