ReviewInternational journal of nursing studies advances2026
Young adults' lived experiences of parental cancer: a qualitative evidence synthesis.
Review in International journal of nursing studies advances, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Young adults aged 18 to 35 years with a parent affected by cancer often face emotional, financial, and social burdens. Parental illness disrupts this transitional life stage, which is commonly characterised by education, career-building, and relationships, by adding caregiving responsibilities that may strain identity, well-being, and social connections. Despite their psychosocial vulnerability, young adult caregivers remain underrepresented in research, and little is known about how they experience and navigate these challenges. Objective: To address this gap, this systematic review identifies and synthesises qualitative research on individuals who experience parental cancer during young adulthood or emerging adulthood. Information sources: The literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus, from inception to May 2024, with an updated search in September 2025. In addition, the reference lists of included studies were screened to identify further eligible records. Methods: We conducted a qualitative evidence synthesis following established methodological and reporting guidelines (PRISMA-P and ENTREQ). The review included qualitative studies and data were synthesised using thematic synthesis as described by Thomas and Harden. Results: The included studies, conducted in Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania, used predominantly qualitative or mixed methods and were published in English between 2008 and 2024. The results indicate that young adults live everyday lives that unfold in parallel with the medical trajectory of their parent, a process characterised by shifting social roles, disrupted relationships, and an evolving sense of identity. These experiences coalesce into three overarching themes: (1) Conclusion: Parental cancer profoundly affects young adults, influencing their emotional well-being, personal identity, and family responsibilities. While these challenges can be overwhelming, they may also foster personal growth and resilience. Difficulties in seeking support underscore the need for tailored interventions to help young adults maintain well-being. Registration: The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO, the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews 23 December 2023. Registration number CRD42023492854.
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