Meaning-Centered Grief Therapy for Parents Bereaved by Cancer: A Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are comparing three types of support programs for parents who have lost a child to cancer. The study aims to see how these programs affect symptoms of grief and depression. The programs being studied are Meaning-Centered Grief Therapy, Supportive Counseling, and Enhanced Usual Care, with the goal of helping bereaved parents cope and find meaning after their loss. Participants will receive one of the three support programs for about four months or longer if needed. Meaning-Centered Grief Therapy involves 16 weekly sessions lasting 60 to 90 minutes each, delivered via videoconferencing, with a focus on finding meaning after loss. Supportive Psychotherapy also includes 16 weekly videoconference sessions to help participants express feelings and receive support. Enhanced Usual Care consists of standard care plus additional resources. During the study, participants will be regularly assessed for changes in grief and depression using tools like the Prolonged Grief Disorder-13-R and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised. Other assessments include measures of anxiety, hopelessness, regret, growth, and global health. The study follows participants for up to 10 months, monitoring their progress and symptoms through questionnaires and interviews to evaluate the effects of the support programs.

Evaluation of Grief Therapy Approaches for Bereaved Parents