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Although a substantial number of children experience serious parental illness and death, the adjustment problems attendant to the stress of having a fatally ill parent have not been examined systematically. This paper compares the psychosocial adjustment of 62 school-aged children with a terminally ill parent (study sample) with that of children in a community sample, using several standard rating scales. Study children had significantly higher levels of self-reported depression (Children's Depression Inventory) and anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) and lower self-esteem (Self-Esteem Inventory). Parents also reported study children's significantly higher behavior problems and lower social competence (Child Behavior Checklist). Increased professional attention to this vulnerable population is encouraged.

ECENT YEARS have seen a dramatic increase in the understanding of psychologic issues that confront cancer patients. Interventions have been developed to assist patients in coping with their disease, its effect on their lives, and the threat of potential death. The families of these patients have also received attention and consultation. Traditionally, “family” usually refers to spouse; children in the families of cancer patients may actually receive little attention from health professionals. The necessity for preventative interventions for these children is now thought to minimize emotional difficulties at a later date. A previous paper’ described a sequence of psychosocial interventions that were developed to facilitate coping and foster long-term adaptation in children of all ages who have a seriously ill parent. This article focuses on the particular needs of adolescent children who have a parent with cancer. We will briefly review the literature on childhood mourning. examine some specific developmental issues of adolescence and the impact of a parent’s illness. and discuss the bereaved adolescent.

Parental death during childhood may have enduring traumatic effects. This paper discusses a sequence of preventive interventions for children during the course of a parent's fatal illness. The approach is intended to prepare them to cope with the eventual loss of the parent and to foster their long-term adaptation.

The authors discuss the specific social and psychological tasks that confront individuals who are dying with AIDS. The young age of the patient, the nature of the disease process, and the social context in which the death occurs profoundly affect the patients' experience.