Psychological symptoms in widowed parents with minor children, 2–4 years after the loss of a partner to cancer

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to explore psychological symptoms in widowed parents with minor children, 2–4 years after the death of their partner. A second aim was to examine the associations between psychological symptoms and nonmodifiable and modifiable illness and healthcare-related factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study on widowed parents with minor children after the loss of a partner to cancer. In total, 42 parents completed an online questionnaire including instruments for assessing symptoms of anxiety, depression, grief rumination, prolonged grief, and posttraumatic stress. Descriptive statistics, Spearman's correlation coefficients, Mann–Whitney U tests and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to analyze differences in symptomology based on modifiable and nonmodifiable factors. Results: Parents reported moderate–severe symptoms of anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and depression. Reporting having received more information during the partner's illness regarding how the illness could affect the partner's somatic and psychological health and where to turn for support were associated with fewer psychological symptoms. Conclusions: A substantial proportion of widowed parents with minor children reported a moderate–severe symptom burden regarding depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress, and less so with prolonged grief symptoms. This study also highlighted the value of receiving information from healthcare personnel regarding the somatic and psychological effects of a partner's illness and where widowed parents can turn for support.