The psychological, social, and behavioural impact of a parent's cancer on adolescent and young adult offspring aged 10-24 at time of diagnosis: A systematic review.

Julia Morris, Deborah Turnbull, David Preen, Ian Zajac, Angelita Martini

Journal: Journal of adolescence 2019;65():61-71

PMID: 29549783

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

This study reviewed the literature regarding the psychological, social, and behavioural impact of parental cancer on offspring aged 10-24 years, at the time of the parent's first diagnosis. A systematic literature review was conducted following 2015 PRISMA guidelines. Seven studies met inclusion criteria. Offspring were impacted by their parent's cancer and experienced psychological and behavioural problems. Daughters and offspring who experienced more problems at their parent's diagnosis appeared to be most impacted. Offspring refrained from communicating their disease-related concerns, but expected their parents to communicate openly. Turning to oneself and peer-support were coping strategies used by offspring. The majority of offspring were significantly impacted by their parent's cancer. The paucity of literature focusing on offspring aged 10-24 years at the time of their parent's incident cancer diagnosis indicates that research has overlooked offspring age at their parent's cancer onset as a factor that may influence their future outcomes.

Address: School of Psychology, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, SA 5005, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].; School of Psychology, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, SA 5005, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].; School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].; Nutrition and Health Program, Health & Biosecurity, CSIRO, PO Box 10041, Adelaide BC, SA, 5000, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].; School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2018.03.001