Parenting with a Life-Limiting Illness

Sarah E Shea; Cynthia W Moore

doi:10.1016/j.chc.2018.05.002

Parenting with a Life-Limiting Illness

Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2018 Oct;27(4):567-578. doi: 10.1016/j.chc.2018.05.002. Epub 2018 Jul 25.

Authors

Sarah E Shea¹, Cynthia W Moore²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, YAW 6900, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Electronic address: Sshea6@mgh.harvard.edu.
² Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, YAW 6900, Boston, MA 02114, USA.

PMID: 30219218
DOI: 10.1016/j.chc.2018.05.002

Abstract

Parents with life-threatening illness face unique challenges in their dual roles as patients and parents. They are at risk for depression, parenting stress, and impaired family functioning, and their children are at risk for adjustment difficulties. In addition to treatment of depression and other mental health issues, patients may also benefit from evidence-informed guidance addressing the challenges of parenting while ill. Consultations should be tailored to each family, with consideration of children's developmental stage and temperament. Clinical recommendations for communication about a parent's anticipated death, helping children spend meaningful time with an ill parent, and legacy leaving are provided.

Keywords: Advanced cancer; Anticipated death; Bereavement; Depression; Parental illness; Parenting.

MeSH terms

Adaptation, Psychological*
Adult
Attitude to Death
Bereavement
Child
Child of Impaired Parents / psychology*
Depression / psychology*
Humans
Neoplasms / psychology
Parent-Child Relations*
Parenting / psychology*