Bereaved Parents' Health Status During the First 6 Months After Their Child's Death. (June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dias, Nancy; Brandon, Debra; Haase, Joan E.; Tanabe, Paula
• Is Part Of: American journal of hospice & palliative care. Volume 35:Number 6(2018)
• Page Start: 829
• Page End: 839
• Publication Date: 2018-06
• Subjects: parental bereavement -- bereaved parents -- health status -- health outcomes -- pediatric bereavement care -- bereavement programs -- child's death -- palliative and end-of-life; Hospice care -- Periodicals; Palliative treatment -- Periodicals; 362.175
• DOI: 10.1177/1049909117744188
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1049-9091

Abstract

Purpose: To examine bereaved parents' physical, mental, and social health during the first 6 months after their child's (<12 years) death from a life-threatening illness. Background and Significance: Bereaved parents have higher mortality and morbidity rates when compared to nonbereaved parents. Acute illnesses, hospitalizations, and medication changes are highest in the first 6 months. An understanding of bereaved parents' health risk indicators can help inform development of health promotion and disease prevention measures. Methods and Analysis: A prospective descriptive study examined 8 parent dyads. Parents completed health surveys (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System–global, social, and sleep; Brief Symptom Inventory [BSI] 18), which are used to assess parents' health at 3 and 6 months after their child's death. Demographic data included a medical history, hospital or emergency department visits, and smoking and alcohol intake. Descriptive statistics were used to compare parents' scores to US general population scores. Findings: Mothers' and fathers' physical, mental, and sleep health scores were typically within 1 to 2 standard deviations of the population norms. However, their social health scores were as low as 3 standard deviations and all parents' scores were below population norms. Four (25%) of the 16 parents had new diagnosis during the first 6 months. Based on the BSI-18, 3 parents had their scores above population cutoffs, which warranted a need for further clinical evaluation. Conclusions: Health data highlight the "at-risk" health status of bereaved parents. Further validation of these data is required to support the development of health promotion and disease prevention programs.