Experiencing the Loss of an Adult Child in Old Age

Parental grief is associated with many collateral losses and severe consequences at the mental, physical, and social levels. Most studies of parental loss are concentrated in the area of infant mortality, while increasing life expectancy entails an increase in the number of cases of adult child loss among older people. Anamneses of elderly people are often burdened by cumulative psychotraumatization, somatic and mental disorders. At the same time, older subjects have a wider range of coping strategies available. This review examines the consequences of the superposition of the factors of the severity of the stressor under study and the pronounced gerontogenetic diversity. Based on the analysis of 76 literary sources, a comparison and specification of the empirical research results were carried out, which preliminary revealed universal psychological consequences of losing a child at an older age, including a sense of guilt, a feeling of abnormality of what happened, complication of the age crisis, deformation of the "Self-concept", chronification of grief. Specific tendencies in the course of grief due to the type of loss are systematically described. Loss of a violent nature is the most traumatic in comparison with loss due to an unfavorable outcome of the disease and is accompanied by the desire of parents to take revenge, restore justice. Losses of children performing official duties during military operations are associated with extremely high ambivalence of experiences, while losses associated with emergency situations are associated with survivor's guilt. Illegal grief (death due to a stigmatized disease, suicide, violation of the law, substance use) is burdened by shame, which prevents getting help. The study points out the need for empirical clarification of the data obtained and has practical value, specifying the targets of providing psychotherapeutic assistance to grieving elderly parents.

1. Antsyferova L.I. Razvitie lichnosti i problemy gerontopsikhologii [Personality development and problems of gerontopsychology]. Moscow: Publ. Institute of Psychology RAS, 2006. 512 p. (In Russ.)
2. Bakanova A.A., Surov P.V. Ekzistentsial'nye aspekty perezhivanii pri potere rebenka [Existential aspects of experiencing the loss of a child]. In: Culture based on the protection of childhood: abstracts of reports and reports from the V International Conference "Children in the Modern World: The Rights of the Child". St. Petersburg: Publ. Hertzen State University, 1998. Pp. 36–38. (In Russ.)
3. Bern E.L. Vvedenie v psikhiatriyu i psikhoanaliz dlya neposvyashchennykh. Glavnaya kniga po tranzaktnomu analizu [An introduction to psychiatry and psychoanalysis for the uninitiated. The General Book of Transactional Analysis]. Moscow: Bombora, 2017. 464 p. (In Russ.).
4. Burina E.A. Perezhivanie vnezapnoi utraty [Experiencing sudden loss]. Vestnik Mininskogo universiteta = Bulletin of Minin University, 2016. No. 3, pp. 18–30. (In Russ.)
5. Bykhovets Yu.V., Mozhaeva E. Psikhologicheskie posledstviya terrorizma [Psychological consequences of terrorism]. Konsul'tativnaya psikhologiya i psikhoterapiya = Counseling Psychology and Psychotherapy, Vol. 32, no. 1. Pp. 158–164. DOI: 10.17759/cpp.2024320108 (In Russ.)
6. Vainshtein A.E. Nekotorye osobennosti psikhoterapevticheskogo podkhoda k rabote s litsami, perezhivayushchimi vozmozhnuyu utratu blizkogo [Some features of the therapeutic approach to working with people who have experienced the possible loss of a loved one]. Sovremennaya terapiya v psikhiatrii i nevrologii = Modern therapy in psychiatry and neurology, No. 4, pp, 34–37. (In Russ.)
7. Vasilyuk F.E. Perezhit' gore [Relieve the grief]. In: O chelovecheskom v cheloveke [About the human in man]. Moscow: Politizdat, 1991. Pp. 230–247. (In Russ.)
8. Volkan V., Zintl E. Zhizn' posle utraty: psikhologiya gorevaniya [Life after loss: The psychology of grief]. Moscow: Cogito-Centre, 2017. 170 p. (In Russ.)
9. Vorden V. Konsul'tirovanie i terapiya gorya. Posobie dlya spetsialistov v oblasti psikhicheskogo zdorov'ya [Grief Counseling and Therapy: A Handbook for Mental Health Professionals]. Moscow.: Tsentr psikhologicheskogo konsul'tirovaniya i psikhoterapii, 2020. 330 p. (In Russ.)
10. Glukhikh S.I., Molchanova N.V. Sotsial'no-psikhologicheskie osobennosti mediko-sotsial'noi reabilitatsii pozhilykh lyudei [Social and psychological features of medical and social rehabilitation of elderly people]. Pedagogicheskoe obrazovanie v Rossii = Psychological Education in Russia, No. 11, pp. 89–93. (In Russ.)
11. Dymova E.N. Retrospektivnyi analiz posttravmaticheskogo stressa v gody Velikoi Otechestvennoi voiny [Retrospective analysis of post-traumatic stress during the Great Patriotic War]. Klinicheskaya i spetsial'naya psikhologiya = Clinical Psychology and Special Education, Vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 1–16. DOI: 10.17759/cpse.2021100301 (In Russ.)
12. Doka K. Bespravnoe gore: utrata v pozdnem vozraste [Disenfranchised Grief: Loss in Late Life]. Arkheologiya russkoi smerti = Archeology of Russian Death, 2016. No. 3, pp, 125–131. (In Russ.)
13. Ekimchik O.A., Kryukova T.L. Fenomenologiya sovladaniya s odinochestvom v romanticheskikh otnosheniyakh [The Phenomenology of Coping with Loneliness in Romantic Relationships]. Vestnik Kostromskogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta. Seriya: Pedagogika. Psikhologiya. Sotsiokinetika. = Bulletin of Kostroma State University. Series: Pedagogy. Psychology, Sociokinetics, 2014. No. 4, pp. 81–86. (In Russ.).
14. Kazymova N.N., Kharlamenkova N.E., Nikitina D.A. Tyazhelye zhiznennye sobytiya i ikh psikhologicheskie posledstviya: utrata ili ugroza poteri blizkogo [Difficult life events and their psychological consequences: loss or threat of loss of a loved one]. Vestnik Kostromskogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta. Seriya: Pedagogika. Psikhologiya. Sotsiokinetika. = Bulletin of Kostroma State University. Series: Pedagogy. Psychology, Sociokinetics, No. 2, pp. 96–101. DOI: 10.34216/2073-1426-2019-25-2-96-101 (In Russ.)
15. Kamenskii P.I. Chuvstvo viny, kak prediktor mezhlichnostnoi zavisimosti i blagopoluchiya v mezhlichnostnykh otnosheniyakh [Guilt as a predictor of interpersonal dependence and well-being in interpersonal relationships]. Vestnik Kostromskogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta. Seriya: Pedagogika. Psikhologiya. Sotsiokinetika. = Bulletin of Kostroma State University. Series: Pedagogy. Psychology, Sociokinetics, No. 4, pp. 84–88. DOI: 10.34216/2073-1426-2019-25-4-84-88 (In Russ.)
16. Kapranova M.V., Buchatskaya M.V. Osobennosti perezhivaniya krizisa «Opustevshego gnezda» zamuzhnimi i nezamuzhnimi zhenshchinami [Peculiarities of experiencing the empty nest crisis by married and unmarried women]. Psikhologiya i psikhotekhnika = Psychology and Psychotechnique, 2022. No. 2, pp. 29–41. DOI: 10.7256/2454-0722.2022.2.36998 (In Russ.)
17. Kornilov V.V. Patologicheskaya reaktsiya gorya v pozhilom i starcheskom vozraste (obzor literatury) [Pathological grief reaction in old age and senility: a literature review]. Sovremennaya terapiya v psikhiatrii i nevrologii = Modern therapy in psychiatry and neurology, № 1, pp. 78–84. DOI: 10.30629/2618-6667-2015-68-78-84 (In Russ.)
18. Kornilov V.V., Sheshenin V.S., Malkina N.A. Psikhoterapiya u patsientov pozhilogo vozrasta c affektivnymi rasstroistvami v iskhode patologicheskoi reaktsii gorya [Psychotherapy in elderly patients with affective disorders as a result of pathological grief reaction]. Konsul'tativnaya psikhologiya i psikhoterapiya = Counseling Psychology and Psychotherapy, 2021. Vol. 29. No. 4, pp. 111–126. DOI: 10.17759/cpp.2021290407 (In Russ.)
19. Kyubler-Ross E. O smerti i umiranii [On Death and Dying]. Moscow: Korvet, 2016. 294 p. (In Russ.)
20. Lyubov E.B. Kliniko-sotsial'noe bremya blizkikh zhertvy suitsida: esli by [Clinical and social burden of suicide victims: what if] // Suitsidologiya = Suicidology, 2017. Vol. 8, no. 4 (29), pp. 56–75. (In Russ.)
21. Lopatina O. Vliyanie russko-ukrainskikh voennykh (boevykh) deistvii na psikhologicheskoe sostoyanie grazhdan [The impact of Russian-Ukrainian military (combat) actions on the psychological state of citizens]. Zdorov'e cheloveka, teoriya i metodika fizicheskoi kul'tury i sporta = Human Health. Theory and Methods of Physical Culture and Sport, 2023. No. 29 (1), pp, 122–131. (In Russ.)
22. Lukovtseva Z.V., Kuskova A.A. Opyt izucheniya struktury i dinamiki simptomov PTSR pri utrate blizkogo cheloveka [Experience of studying the structure and dynamics of PTSD in the loss of a loved one]. Psikhologiya i pravo = Psychology and Law, 2013. Vol. 3, no. 4. URL: https://psyjournals.ru/journals/psylaw/archive/2013_n4/66200 (Date of access: 12.12.2024) (In Russ.)
23. MakDugall D. Teatr dushi: Illyuziya i pravda na psikhoanaliticheskoi stsene [Theatre of the Soul: Illusion and Truth on the Psychoanalytic Stage]. St. Petersburg: VEIP, 2002. 304 p. (In Russ.)
24. Maksimova A.A., Makhovitskaya K.D., Nichizhenova O.V., Soboleva E.V. Problema odinochestva v pozhilom vozraste [The problem of loneliness in old age]. Vestnik soveta molodykh uchenykh Chelyabinskoi oblasti = Bulletin of the Council of Young Scientists and Specialists of the Chelyabinsk region, 2016. No. 1 (12), pp. 38–40. (In Russ.)
25. Malenova A.Yu., Potapova Yu.V. Sotsial'no-psikhologicheskie faktory preodoleniya materyami krizisa separatsii: gendernyi aspect [Social and psychological factors of overcoming the maternal separation crisis: gender aspect]. Vestnik Omskogo Universiteta = Bulletin of Omsk State University, 2012. No. 2, pp. 38–40. (In Russ.)
26. Mednov M.R. Motivy seriinykh ubiits pri sovershenii prestuplenii, problemy i perspektivy razvitiya [Motives of serial killers when committing crimes, problems and development prospects]. Otechestvennaya yurisprudentsiya = Russian jurisprudence, No. 2 (16), pp. 43–48. (In Russ.)
27. Moskvitina M.A., Moskvitin P.N. Organizatsionno-metodicheskie aspekty psikhologicheskogo soprovozhdeniya kombatantov i chlenov ikh semei [Organizational and methodological aspects of psychological support for combatants and their families]. Gumanitarnye, sotsial'no-ekonomicheskie i obshchestvennye nauki = Humanitarian, social and economic sciences, 2023. No. 7, pp. 61–68. DOI: 10.23672/SAE.2023.34.57.019 (In Russ.)
28. Onishchenko N.V. Osobennosti psikhoemotsional'nogo sostoyaniya postradavshikh, perezhivshikh poteryu rebenka vsledstvie chrezvychainoi situatsii [Peculiarities of the psycho-emotional state of victims who have experienced the loss of a child due to an emergency situation]. Vestnik Permskogo universiteta. Filosofiya. Psikhologiya. Sotsiologiya = Bulletin of Perm University. Series: Philosophy. Psychology. Sociology, 2014. No. 4, pp. 64–70. (In Russ.)
29. Pis'mennyi E.V. Smyslovye urovni mifologemy materi v kontekste tyuremno-vorovskoi subkul'tury [Semantic levels of the mother mythologem in the context of the prison-thieves subculture]. Chelyabinskii gumanitarii = Chelyabinsk Humanities, 2010. No. 3 (12), pp. 117–121. (In Russ.)
30. Rebeko T.A. Kozhnye zabolevaniya i vtorichnyi simbioz [Skin diseases and secondary symbiosis]. Psikhologicheskii zhurnal = Psychological Journal, 2020. Vol. 41, no. 2, pp. 69–79. DOI: 10.31857/S020595920008567-9 (In Russ.)
31. Rebeko T.A. Psikhosomaticheskie zabolevaniya kak poisk sobstvennogo Ya [Psychosomatic diseases as a search for one's own self]. Nauchno-pedagogicheskoe obozrenie = Pedagogical Review, 2020. No. 1, pp, 174–181. DOI: 10.23951/2307-6127-2020-1-174-181 (In Russ.)
32. Sapogova E.E. Ekzistentsial'nye kharakteristiki krizisa stareniya [Existential characteristics of the aging crisis]. In: Psikhologiya sostoyanii cheloveka: aktual'nye teoreticheskie i prikladnye problemy. Sbornik statei Tret'ei Mezhdunarodnoi nauchnoi konferentsii [Psychology of human states. Proceedings of Third International Conference], 2018. Pp. 162–170. (In Russ.)
33. Sergienko E.A., Kharlamenkova N.E. Psikhologicheskie faktory blagopoluchnogo stareniya [Psychological factors of successful aging]. Vestnik SPbGU. Seriya 16: Psikhologiya. Pedagogika = Bulletin of St. Petersburg State University. Series 16: Psychology. Pedagogy, No. 3, pp. 243–257. DOI: 10.21638/11701/spbu16.2018.303 (In Russ.)
34. Strizhitskaya O.Yu., Petrash M.D. Razrabotka metodiki «Strategii konstruirovaniya stareniya» [Development of the methodology "Strategy of constructive aging"]. Vestnik SPbGU. Seriya 16: Psikhologiya. Pedagogika = Bulletin of St. Petersburg State University. Series 16: Psychology. Pedagogy, No. 1. DOI: 10.21638/spbu16.2024.110 (In Russ.)
35. Strel'nikova Yu.Yu. Osobennosti psikhologicheskikh posledstvii chrezvychainykh situatsii antropogennogo i prirodnogo kharaktera [Features of psychological consequences of emergency situations of anthropogenic and natural origin]. Sovremennye tekhnologii obespecheniya grazhdanskoi oborony i likvidatsii posledstvii chrezvychainykh situatsii = Modern technologies for civil defense and emergency response, 2015. No. 1 (6), pp. 136–138. (In Russ.)
36. Tarabrina N.V., Agarkov V.A., Bykhovets Yu.V. et al. Prakticheskoe rukovodstvo po psikhologii posttravmaticheskogo stressa. Ch. 1. Teoriya I metody [Practical guide to the psychology of post-traumatic stress. Part 1. Theory and methods]. Moscow: Cogito-center, 2007. 208 p.
37. Kharlamenkova N.E. Perezhivanie utraty v pozhilom vozraste [Experiencing loss in old age]. In: Volovikova M.I., Zhuravlev A.L., Kharlamenkova N.E. (Eds.) Psikhologicheskie issledovaniya lichnosti: istoriya, sovremennoe sostoyanie, perspektivy [Psychological research of person: history, modern state, perspectives]. Moscow: Publ. Institute of Psychology RAS, 2016. Pp. 169–191. (In Russ.).
38. Kharlamenkova, N.E. Bykhovets Kartina travmaticheskikh sobytii u pozhilykh lyudei i printsipy organizatsii psikhologicheskoi pomoshchi [Picture of traumatic events in the elderly and principles of organizing psychological assistance]. In: A.L. Zhuravlev, E.A. Sergienko, N.V. Tarabrina (Eds.). Psikhologiya cheloveka i obshchestva: Nauchno-prakticheskie issledovaniya [Psychology of human and society: scientific and practical research]. Moscow: Publ. Institute of Psychology RAS, 2014. Pp. 248–261. (In Russ.)
39. Kharlamenkova N.E., Bykhovets Yu.V., Evdokimova A.A. Posttravmaticheskii stress i sovladayushchee povedenie v pozhilom vozraste [Posttraumatic stress and coping behavior in old age]. Nauchnyi dialog = Scientific dialogue, 2014. No. 3 (27), pp. 92–105. (In Russ.)
40. Kharlamenkova N.E., Nikitina D.A. Psikhologicheskie posledstviya vliyaniya stressorov vysokoi intensivnosti raznogo tipa [Psychological consequences of exposure to high intensity stressors of different types]. Yaroslavskii pedagogicheskii vestnik = Yaroslavl pedagogical bulletin, 2020. No. 5 (116), pp. 110–120. DOI: 10.20323/1813-145X-2020-5-116-110-120 (In Russ.)
41. Kharlamenkova N.E., Protsenko D.A. Sotsial'naya podderzhka i ee svyaz' s urovnem psikhicheskoi travmatizatsii v raznykh vozrastakh [Social support and its relationship with the level of mental trauma at different ages]. Vestnik SPbGU. Seriya 16: Psikhologiya. Pedagogika = Bulletin of St. Petersburg State University. Series 16: Psychology. Pedagogy, No. 4, pp. 129–141. (In Russ.)
42. Khrustaleva N.S. Psikhologiya krizisnykh i ekstremal'nykh situatsii [Psychology of crisis and extreme situations]. St. Petersburg: Publ. St. Petersburg State University, 2018. 748 p. (In Russ.)
43. Chistopol'skaya K.A., Enikolopov S.N. O svyazi stigmy psikhicheskoi bolezni i suitsidal'nogo povedeniya [On the relationship between mental illness stigma and suicidal behavior]. Rossiiskii psikhiatricheskii zhurnal = Russian Psychiatry Journal, 2018. No. 2, pp. 10–18. (In Russ.)
44. Shoigu Yu.S., Timofeeva L.N., Tolubaeva N.V. et al. Osobennosti okazaniya ekstrennoi psikhologicheskoi pomoshchi pri perezhivanii utraty v chrezvychainykh situatsiyakh [Features of providing emergency psychological assistance in dealing with loss in emergency situations]. Natsional'nyi psikhologicheskii zhurnal = National Psychological Journal, 2021. No. 1 (41), pp. 115–126. (In Russ.).
45. Bailey D.J.S. A Life of grief: An exploration of disenfranchised grief in sex offender significant others. American Journal of Criminal Justice, 2018. Vol. 43 (3), pp. 641–667. DOI: 10.1007/s12103-017-9416-4
46. Bailey A., Hannays-King C., Clarke J. et al. Black mothers cognitive process of finding meaning and building resilience after loss of a child to gun violence. British Journal of Social Work, 2013. Vol. 43 (2), pp. 336–354. DOI: 10.1093/bjsw/bct027
47. Balasubramaniam M. Grief in the aging parent after the loss of an adult child: a review of literature. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 2013. Vol. 21 (3). Suppl. S100. DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2012.12.133
48. Boelen P.A. Peritraumatic distress and dissociation in prolonged grief and posttraumatic stress following violent and unexpected deaths. Journal of Trauma and Dissociation, 2015. Vol. 16 (5), pp. 541–550. DOI: 10.1080/15299732.2015.1027841
49. Bolaséll L.T., Castro C.O., Frimm V. et al. “I Have No Words”: A qualitative study about the traumatic experience of violent death. Omega (United States), 2024. Vol. 88 (3), pp. 1136–1152. DOI: 10.1177/00302228211051532
50. Bradshaw J. Bradshaw on — The family: A revolutionary way of self-discovery. Florida: Health Communications Inc., 1988. 242 p.
51. Bratt A.S., Carlsson V., Meakin E. et al. Relatives’ lived experiences of losing a loved one to COVID-19: an interpretative phenomenological analysis. Nordic Psychology, 2024. Vol. 76 (1), pp. 1–16. DOI: 10.1080/19012276.2023.2220074
52. Brent D.A., Moritz G., Bridge J. et al. The impact of adolescent suicide on siblings and parents: A longitudinal follow‐up. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 1996. Vol. 26 (3), pp. 253–259. DOI: 10.1111/j.1943-278x.1996.tb00610.x
53. Bromley D.B. The psychology of human ageing. Penguin Books, 1966. 366 p.
54. Burke L.A., Neimeyer R.A. Complicated spiritual grief I: Relation to complicated grief symptomatology following violent death bereavement. Death Studies, 2014. Vol. 38 (4), pp. 259–267. DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2013.829372
55. Dean M., McClement S., Bond J.B. et al. Parental experiences of adult child death from cancer. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 2005. Vol. 8 (4), pp. 751–765. DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2005.8.751
56. Doka K.J. Disenfranchised grief: Recognizing hidden sorrow. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books, 1989. 347 p.
57. Domingues D.F., Dessen M.A., Queiroz E. Grief and coping in families victimized by homicide. Arquivos Brasileiros de Psicologia, 2015. Vol. 67 (2), pp. 61–74.
58. Hibberd R., Elwood L.S., Galovski T.E. Risk and protective factors for posttraumatic stress disorder, prolonged grief, and depression in survivors of the violent death of a loved one. Journal of Loss and Trauma, 2010. Vol. 15 (5), pp. 426–447. DOI: 10.1080/15325024.2010.507660
59. Holland Di.E., Vanderboom C.E., Dose A.M. et al. Death and grieving for family caregivers of loved ones with life-limiting illnesses in the era of COVID-19: Considerations for case managers. Professional Case Management, 2021. Vol. 26 (2), pp. 53–61. DOI: 10.1097/NCM.0000000000000485
60. Hybholt L., Berring L.L., Erlangsen A. et al. Older adults’ conduct of everyday life after bereavement by suicide: A qualitative study. Frontiers in Psychology, 2020. Vol. 11. Art. 1131. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01131
61. Kristensen P., Weisaeth L., Heir T. Bereavement and mental health after sudden and violent losses: A Review. Psychiatry, 2012. Vol. 75 (1), pp. 76–97. DOI: 10.1521/psyc.2012.75.1.76
62. Lemma A. Under the skin. A psychoanalytic study of body modification. London; New York: Routledge, 2010. 216 p.
63. Maccallum F., Lundorff M., Johannsen M. et al. An exploration of gender and prolonged grief symptoms using network analysis. Psychological Medicine, 2023. Vol. 53 (5), pp. 1170–1777. DOI: 10.1017/S0033291721003391
64. Malkinson R., Bar-Tur L. The aging of grief in Israel: A perspective of bereaved parents. Death Studies, 1999. Vol. 23 (5), pp. 413–431. DOI: 10.1080/074811899200939
65. Moss M.S., Lesher E.L., Moss S.Z. Impact of the death of an adult child on elderly parents: Some observations. Omega, 1986. Vol. 17 (3). DOI: 10.2190/2QCM-UXYV-8NR2-1CYF
66. Park S., Kim J. The death of an adult child and trajectories of parental depressive symptoms: A gender-based longitudinal analysis. Social Science and Medicine, 2024. Vol. 341 (C). DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116544
67. Peters K., Cunningham C., Murphy G., Jackson D. People look down on you when you tell them how he died: Qualitative insights into stigma as experienced by suicide survivors. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 2016. Vol. 25 (3), pp. 251–257. DOI: 10.1111/inm.12210
68. Reed M.L. Grandparents cry twice. Amityville, NY: Baywood Publishing, 2000. 142 p.
69. Rynearson E.K., Salloum A. Restorative retelling: Revising the narrative of violent death. In: Grief and bereavement in contemporary society: Bridging research and practice. New York, NY: Routledge, 2021.
70. Séguin M., Lesage A., Kiely M.C. Parental bereavement after suicide and accident: A comparative study. Suicide and Life‐Threatening Behavior, 1995. Vol. 25 (4), pp. 489–492. DOI: 10.1111/j.1943-278X.1995.tb00241.x
71. Shanfield S.B., Swain B.J., Benjamin G.A.H. Parents’ responses to the death of adult children from accidents and cancer: A comparison. Omega, 1986. Vol. 17 (4). DOI: 10.2190/lda0-und9-y8py-mc2d
72. Shear M.K., Ghesquiere A., Glickman K. Bereavement and complicated grief. Current psychiatry reports, 2013. Vol. 15 (11), p. 406. DOI: 10.1007/s11920-013-0406-z
73. Ssekubugu R., Renju J., Zaba B. et al. “He was no longer listening to me”: A qualitative study in six Sub-Saharan African countries exploring next-of-kin perspectives on caring following the death of a relative from AIDS. AIDS Care, 2018. Vol. 31 (6), pp. 754–760. DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2018.1537467
74. Treml J., Schmidt V., Nagl M., Kersting A. Pre-loss grief and preparedness for death among caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients: A systematic review. Social Science and Medicine, 2021. Vol. 284. Art. 114240. DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114240
75. Van Humbeeck L., Dillen L., Piers R. et al. The suffering in silence of older parents whose child died of cancer: A qualitative study. Death Studies, 2016. Vol. 40 (10), pp. 607–617. DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2016.1198942
76. Wing D.G., Clance P.R., Burge-Callaway K., Armistead L. Understanding gender differences in bereavement following the death of an infant: Implications for treatment. Psychotherapy, 2001. Vol. 38 (1), pp. 60–73. DOI: 10.1037/0033-3204.38.1.60