Adolescent Loneliness When a Parent Has Cancer: A Qualitative Systematic Review.

Objectives: The aim of this systematic review was to synthesise the available qualitative evidence relating to adolescent loneliness (aged 10-19) when a parent has cancer. This included considering how adolescents experience loneliness when their parent has cancer and exploring the perceived factors that influence this experience.

Methods: A qualitative systematic literature review was conducted to synthesise and critically evaluate loneliness in adolescents experiencing parental cancer. The JBI qualitative systematic review approach was followed throughout, including quality appraisal, data extraction and a meta-aggregative synthesis. The reports were screened by two independent reviewers and conflicts were resolved by a third reviewer. The review was pre-registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023409596).

Results: A total of 17 papers were included, published between 2007-2024. Findings indicate that young people experiencing parental cancer are lonely and deal with overwhelming emotions alone. Loneliness is intensified by a lack of understanding from peers and family constrained communication. Family and social support may protect young people against experiencing loneliness.

Conclusions: Although there is a dearth of research on parental cancer which has focused on loneliness in this population, the analysis revealed that experiences of loneliness are indeed apparent in this cohort. Future research should focus on interviewing this population to develop a more comprehensive understanding of their lived experience.