Reflections on Experiencing Parental Bereavement as a Young Person: A Retrospective Qualitative Study.

Background : It is estimated that approximately 41,000 children and young people experience the death of a parent each year. Grief responses, such as anxiety and depression, can follow. This research investigated the adult reflections of experiencing parental death as a young person. Methods : Semi-structured interviews were conducted with adults ( N = 14; female n = 8) who experienced parental death as a young person, which occurred over 5 years ago (time since death, M = 12.9 years; age at death, M = 16.4 years; age at interview, M = 30.9 years). The data were analysed inductively using thematic analysis. Results : Seven themes revealed that parental bereavement can lead to (1) " Distance and isolation " and is an (2) " Emotional journey " with (3) a " Physical impact ". Many experienced (4) " Post-traumatic growth " but acknowledged that (5) " Life will never be the same ", highlighting the importance of (6) " Support and understanding " and triggers for (7) " Re-grief ". Conclusions : Parental bereavement has significant emotional and physical consequences, but can also lead to personal growth. Talking therapies were rarely accessed, often due to a lack of awareness or desire to engage, revealing a translational gap between existing support services and uptake. Enabling open conversations about grief and identifying suitable support is a public health priority. This need has been amplified since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, which may be a trigger for grief empathy and re-grief in those who have already been bereaved.