Growing around grief: the lived experience of parentally-bereaved young people in the UK

Abstract

More than 100 children per day in the UK experience the death of their parent before the age of 18. Parentally-bereaved young people (PBYP) face considerable hardships including detrimental health and wellbeing outcomes across their lifespan. This study’s aim was to explore the lived experience of PBYP in the UK to understand their experiences and needs. Nine semi-structured interviews were conducted with young people aged 18–25 in Scotland. Thematic analysis was carried out using the Dual Process Model (DPM) as an exploratory lens. Four themes were identified: grief experiences, cumulative stressors, valued support, and coping mechanisms and management strategies. The themes reflected the DPM’s components: loss-orientation, restoration-orientation and oscillation, but the DPM was not fully able to account for the wider social and interpersonal contextual factors discussed. The article proposes further research to explore extensions to the DPM to account for these factors. Practice recommendations include improved bereavement protocols, education for peers and educational staff, and bereavement support interventions.