Adolescents’ psychosocial experiences of parental cancer: a systematic review of qualitative studies

Objectives/Purpose: This review aims to systematically synthesise, through meta-aggregation, existing qualitative evidence of adolescents’ psychosocial lived experiences of parental cancer and identify the psychological theories used to interpret these experiences. Parental cancer can have a profound impact on adolescents, a developmental stage marked by heightened sensitivity to growth, identity formation and psychosocial stressors. Although existing reviews have explored the general impact of parental cancer on children, there is a reliance on quantitative evidence and few focus exclusively on adolescents or explore qualitative data in depth. This is particularly important given that the qualitative research within the area has reported more issues encountered by young people than the quantitative research.

Sample and Setting: Eligible studies include qualitative research involving adolescents (aged 10-19) who have experienced parental cancer, across all cancer types, stages, and prognoses, including bereavement. There are no setting restrictions, although all studies must have been published in English. Parent or other informant perspectives are excluded.

Procedures: Following Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines for qualitative synthesis through meta-aggregation, a systematic search will be conducted across online databases. Studies are screened, appraised for quality, and synthesised through meta-aggregation to develop themes and findings. A secondary aim is to examine how psychological theory has been used within the included studies.

Results: As this review is in progress, final themes and findings will be presented at the meeting.

Conclusion and clinical implications: This review will provide insight into how adolescents experience and make sense of a parent’s cancer, across varied cancer types and prognoses. Findings can inform developmentally appropriate support solutions for adolescents affected by parental cancer. Findings will also highlight key areas for future work, particularly relating to the overarching need for high-quality qualitative studies.