Objective: To describe parental excess risk of anxiety and depression 4 - 9 years after the loss of their child in malignancy.
Method: In a nationwide study on parents having lost their child in malignancy 1992 - 97, 665 fathers/mothers of 368 children diagnosed before age 17 and dead before 25 years of age were identified. Altogether 561 parents were eligible for the anonymous postal questionnaire, out of which 449 (80 percent) participated. A control group of 659 parents with a living child matched for sex and age was used, out of which 457 (69 percent) responded. The assessment of anxiety and depression was based on a seven point visual digital scale and by Spielberger’s Trait measure from the State- Trait Anxiety Inventory and Centre for Epidemiological Studies measure of depression.Results: An increased risk of anxiety (Relative Risk 1.5, 95% Confidence Interval 1.1- 1.9) and depression (Relative Risk 1.4, 95% Confidence Interval 1.1 - 1.7) among bereaved parents compared to non-bereaved. The average risk of anxiety as well as depression was higher 4 - 6 years after bereavement than after 7 - 9 years.Religious parents and those having lost a child 9 years of age or older had a higher risk for anxiety and depression than other bereaved parents. Conclusion: The findings warrant a search avoidable factors during care that can be modified to decrease the long-term risk of anxiety and depression among bereaved parents. For religious parents and those with older children a tailored support might be beneficial. Finally, an important message from our data is that-although it may take some time-most parents continue life without excess psychological morbidity.