A Prospective Study of Coping and Adjustment Before and After a Parent's Death from Cancer

Seventeen adolescents and young adults (mean age = 16.8 years) whose parents had cancer were interviewed before and after the parent's death. They were compared to 17 matched controls whose parents had survived cancer. The fact that the two groups did not differ in degree of anxiety or depression suggests at least short-term adaptation to the loss. Adolescents showed more anxiety and depression than did young adults, regardless of group membership. The respondents* adjustment at follow-up was predicted best by their previous adjustment.