Nancy Dias1, Debra Brandon2, Joan E Haase3, Paula Tanabe2. 1. 1 College of Nursing, Department of Nursing Science, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA. 2. 2 Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, NC, USA. 3. 3 School of Nursing, Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
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.
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.
Entities:
Keywords:
bereaved parents; bereavement programs; child’s death; health outcomes; health status; palliative and end-of-life; parental bereavement; pediatric bereavement care
Authors: Markita Suttle; Mark W Hall; Murray M Pollack; Robert A Berg; Patrick S McQuillen; Peter M Mourani; Anil Sapru; Joseph A Carcillo; Emily Startup; Richard Holubkov; J Michael Dean; Daniel A Notterman; Kathleen L Meert Journal: Pediatr Crit Care Med Date: 2021-04-01 Impact factor: 3.971