Unique grief experiences: The needs of emerging adults facing the death of a parent

Abstract

Enduring the death of a family member during emerging adulthood is associated with intense grief. In total, 15 adults between the ages of 18–32 were interviewed about their experiences. Results indicated emerging adults experience a range of mixed emotions after losing a parent, face unique challenges related to their developmental stage, and tend to be resilient moving forward. Emerging adults need opportunities to engage with others experiencing grief related to parental death and may benefit from specialized support groups that address the developmental challenges inherent among this population.