‘<i>I didn’t know what was in front of me</i>’ – bereaved parents’ experience of adapting to life when a co-parent of dependent children has died with cancer

OBJECTIVE: It is not clear how the bereaved parent navigates life with the children after a co‐parent has died. The objective of this study is to explore bereaved parents' experience of managing life when a co‐parent of dependent children has died with cancer. METHODS: Twenty‐one in‐depth interviews were conducted with bereaved parents when a co‐parent died with cancer. Data were analysed thematically. RESULTS: Bereaved parents highlighted how their children was their key focus after the death of a co‐parent with cancer, as they effortfully strived to be a ‘perfect parent’. While some bereaved parents struggled to adapt to the role as a sole parent, others described the importance of maximising social networks to help with the practical aspects of parenting. However, most bereaved parents described intense feelings of loneliness as they navigated parenting alone. To help navigate this post‐bereavement period, parents considered it important for their children to openly talk about the deceased parent. Also, meeting others who have experienced similar situations was helpful for the bereaved parent and children, providing hope for the future. Results are discussed under two themes: (1) adapting to life without the parent, and (2) a desire to keep the memory alive of the parent that died with cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Bereaved parents should be encouraged to practice self‐care when a co‐parent has died from cancer so they can appropriately meet the needs of their children. Bereaved parents should be reassured that showing emotion in front of the children is helpful and could facilitate better grief experiences for the whole family

"It's part of our life now": a qualitative exploration of the social eating experiences of family members of patients living with head and neck cancer

PURPOSE: Family members (FMs) of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) report a change in their social eating experience. They miss out on the opportunities and benefits that eating with others provides. However, few studies investigate FM’s social eating experiences, with existing research primarily focusing on the patient experience. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the social eating experiences of FMs of patients who have had treatment for HNC. METHODS: A qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews was used to understand FM’s social eating experiences. Key themes were inductively developed from the data using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Twelve interviews were conducted with FMs, and three key themes were identified: (1) changes and challenges experienced by FMs due to HNC patients’ social eating difficulties, (2) living with social eating changes is a balancing act, and (3) FMs’ efforts to promote social eating for a patient with HNC. FMs expressed significant changes to their social eating habits within and outside the home, indicating the need for support to meet their own emotional, psychological and social needs. CONCLUSION: FMs experience many demands and tensions, having to balance the psychological impact they experience, which are often minimised, whilst attempting to find the best ways to support, protect and encourage their loved ones to adjust and adapt to social eating changes. Therefore, interventions need to support FMs’ challenges and equip them to know how to best support patients living with HNC and themselves

Children of Parents with Cancer: An evaluation of a psychosocial intervention

Over the past three decades there has been a marked increase in the prevalence of cancer among younger age groups, many of whom are parenting children. In Ireland it is estimated that 15% of people with cancer are aged between 20-50 years (National Cancer Registry Ireland (NCRI, 2016). Research has indicated that when a parent is diagnosed with cancer they face additional fears and anxieties as they attempt to simultaneously manage their role as parent, with their illness (Rauch & Moore, 2010, Semple & McCance, 2010a, O’Neill et al, 2016). Parents, at this time, primarily want to protect their children from worry and anxiety. However, managing this process is challenging and the illness experience affects the whole family unit. Research evidences that children, depending on age and gender, are at increased risk of psychological and social problems ranging from separation anxiety, depression, difficulties at school, leisure, family functioning and relationships (Visser et al, 2004, Osborn, 2007, Thastum et al 2009)

Experiences and perceptions of social eating for patients living with and beyond head and neck cancer: a qualitative study

PURPOSE: Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) describe eating as more than a physical activity for nutrition and calories. After treatment for HNC, patients report a changed social experience around food, with eating and drinking in front of family and friends depicted as a challenge. However, there is limited research exploring how patients with HNC adapt and cope with social eating difficulties. This study aims to explore patients’ experiences and perceptions of social eating and drinking following treatment for HNC. METHODS: A qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews was employed to understand the experiences of social eating of patients living with and beyond HNC. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to inductively develop key themes from the data. RESULTS: Fourteen interviews were conducted with patients, and two key themes were identified: (1) “Social eating became a conscious process” and (2) “Strategies to maximise social eating participation”. To maximise social eating enjoyment, patients attempted to minimise the attention on their eating function and the fuss created around food. Patients with HNC established psychological and cognitive adaptations to manage expectations and promote positive participation in social eating. CONCLUSION: This paper identifies key barriers limiting or diminishing social eating for patients with HNC; including being self-conscious, lack of understanding from others and functional issues with eating and drinking. This research highlights the need to raise awareness of social eating challenges and for the social dimensions of eating to be addressed through family-centred, supportive holistic interventions implemented early in the patient’s cancer journey

‘Don’t forget the children’: a qualitative study when a parent is at end of life from cancer

Purpose Preparation for end of life is one of the greatest challenges faced by parents with cancer who have dependent children (< 18 years old), with requirement for support from professionals. The aim of this study is to explore how parents can be best supported in relation to their children, when a parent is at end of life from cancer. Methods This is an interpretive qualitative study, using 79 semi-structured interviews with parents at end of life (n3), bereaved parents (n21), health and social care professionals (HSCPs) (n32) and funeral directors (n23). Data were analysed thematically and triangulated. Results Parents are central to preparing their children for the death of a parent. Striving for everyday ordinariness, maximising social networks, maintaining hope and making preparations for the future are helpful for families when a parent is at end of life. Most HSCPs were unaware of the challenges faced by parents at end of life, and psychosocial support was often left outside the caring realm. As a result, funeral directors noted complexities faced by the families after the death. Results are discussed under four themes: (1) communication with the children as a process, (2) coping throughout the unfolding end of life experience, (3) tension and complexities at end of life and (4) preparing for the future. Conclusions Parents should be reassured that by involving the children early in the end of life experience when the ill-parent is ‘well enough’ to parent enables them to be actively involved in supporting their child through one of the greatest life changing event. A number of recommendations are discussed for professionals