Parental experiences of death preparedness at the end of life of their children: a qualitative meta-synthesis.
- 1Department of Nursing, The Second People's Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, 443000, China.
- 2College of Medicine and Health Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, 443002, China.
- 3Department of Nursing, The Second People's Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, 443000, China. [email protected].
Abstract
Objective
This study aimed to synthesize existing qualitative evidence on how parents experience and navigate death preparedness when facing the impending loss of a child, and to identify key challenges and support needs relevant to clinical practice.Methods
A qualitative meta-synthesis was conducted using Thomas and Harden's thematic synthesis approach. Databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsycINFO, CNKI, and VIP were systematically searched from inception to May 28, 2026.Results
Seventeen studies were included. Eleven descriptive subthemes were identified and further organized into five analytical themes. (1) Oscillation Between Awareness and Avoidance, (2) Forced Urgent Preparation Crises, (3) Needs for Prognostic Information on the Dying Trajectory, (4) Rejection of Preparation Alone, (5) Construction of Meaning in the Face of Inevitable Loss.Conclusion
Death preparedness among parents is a dynamic, nonlinear, and relational process. Clinical support should move beyond promoting acceptance alone and instead focus on reducing decisional burden, improving communication, providing practical guidance, and supporting relational and meaning-making processes.
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BibTeX
@article{li2026parental,
title = {{Parental experiences of death preparedness at the end of life of their children: a qualitative meta-synthesis.}},
author = {Xinyi Li and Liangfeng Yang and Zuxi Feng and Yuqin Ma},
journal = {BMC palliative care},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s12904-026-02240-8},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968137},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Parental experiences of death preparedness at the end of life of their children: a qualitative meta-synthesis.
AU - Xinyi Li
AU - Liangfeng Yang
AU - Zuxi Feng
AU - Yuqin Ma
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/05
JO - BMC palliative care
DO - 10.1186/s12904-026-02240-8
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968137
AB - Objective This study aimed to synthesize existing qualitative evidence on how parents experience and navigate death preparedness when facing the impending loss of a child, and to identify key challenges and support needs relevant to clinical practice.Methods A qualitative meta-synthesis was conducted using Thomas and Harden's thematic synthesis approach. Databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsycINFO, CNKI, and VIP were systematically searched from inception to May 28, 2026.Results Seventeen studies were included. Eleven descriptive subthemes were identified and further organized into five analytical themes. (1) Oscillation Between Awareness and Avoidance, (2) Forced Urgent Preparation Crises, (3) Needs for Prognostic Information on the Dying Trajectory, (4) Rejection of Preparation Alone, (5) Construction of Meaning in the Face of Inevitable Loss.Conclusion Death preparedness among parents is a dynamic, nonlinear, and relational process. Clinical support should move beyond promoting acceptance alone and instead focus on reducing decisional burden, improving communication, providing practical guidance, and supporting relational and meaning-making processes.
SN - 1472-684X
ER -