Publication
Long-term grief experiences of parents who lost a child to cancer- Results from a multicenter cross-sectional study
Raguindin P, Pedraza E, Vokinger A, De Clercq E, von Bueren A, Scheinemann K, Tinner E, Bergstraesser E, Michel G · Palliative Medicine · 2026
Background: Childhood cancer deaths may be associated with persistent parental grief. Evidence on grief symptoms beyond ten years post-loss remains limited. Aim(s): We described grief symptoms, identified grief profiles, and examined associations between grief intensity and sociodemographic, cancer-related characteristics, and time since death. Design(s): This multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted in Switzerland (July 2022-July 2023). We used PG-13. Items were rated on a 5-point scale (1-5). We calculated the sum score to assess grief intensity (range 11-55). We employed descriptive statistics, latent profile analysis, and linear regression analyses. Setting/participants: Eligible parents had a child diagnosed with cancer (18 years), who had received treatment at one of three participating Swiss pediatric oncology centers and had died 1 year prior to study participation. Participants were identified via the Swiss Childhood Cancer Registry and invited by the child's former treatment facility. Result(s): Of 388 identified cases, 103 parents of 81 deceased children participated. Mean grief intensity was 23.3 (SD = 9.0); yearning represented the most prominent symptom (mean = 3.2), while reminder avoidance was least prominent (mean = 1.3). Latent profile analysis revealed three grief profiles: low (56%), moderate (32%), and high grief (12%). High poverty risk (beta = 11.04, p<0.001) and death in healthcare facility (beta = 3.82, p = 0.024) were associated with higher grief intensity, while longer time since death was associated with lower grief intensity (beta = -5.46, p = 0.041). Conclusion(s): Parental grief symptoms can persist long after the death of a child to cancer. Integrated palliative care, anticipatory guidance, and multidisciplinary collaboration may identify at-risk parents early, and ensure sustained support within the community.Copyright © The Author(s) 2026
Synced from the TRENDS in Pediatric Palliative Care Zotero library, curated by The Siden Research Team. ICPCN does not host or verify the full text.