Currently enrolling
A Randomized Controlled Trial of the FACT (Families Addressing Cancer Together) Tool
This is the third in a series of studies to develop and test a new online tool to support parents and children. FACT generates custom guidance for each unique family to support communication about a parent’s cancer diagnosis. Learn more at fact.web.unc.edu.
Kinship Care Study
The Kinship Care study is designed to understand the experiences and needs of families when a child has lost a parent due to chronic illness. We are currently recruiting parents/caregivers of grieving children who weren’t the romantic partner of the deceased parent (at the time of their death). We hope to improve resources for ALL families – not just married couples. Learn more at kinship.web.unc.edu.
Recently closed & in data analysis
A Pilot Study of the Families Addressing Cancer Together (FACT) Tool
This pilot study is testing a new online tool for parents with a recent cancer diagnosis. The tool creates guidance & resources about how (or whether) to talk with kids about cancer – tailored entirely for each unique family.
The FAMILY (Fathers and Mothers Invested in the Lives of their Youth) Study
FAMILY is new program funded by the National Cancer Institute, and is designed to help parents cope with cancer’s impact on family life. In the program, social workers help parents discuss together and then provide support for concerns about their children. Learn more at familystudy.web.unc.edu.
Parents’ Communication with Children about Cancer: A Qualitative Study
This study aims to better understand how parents make decisions about whether to talk with children about cancer. Parents are often encouraged to be “honest and open” with their kids about cancer, but receive little guidance – if any – for that task. Participation is one 5-minute survey, and an interview about parents’ experiences. Parents with cancer and their co-parents are invited to participate.
Recently published
PCQ Adaptation Study (“Parenting Concerns Survey Study”)
The Psychometric Evaluation of the Adapted Parenting Concerns Questionnaire for Patients with Cancer is a study that evaluates the breadth and intensity of concerns for parents facing advanced cancer diagnoses while caring for at least one minor child. The purpose of this study is to test the psychometric properties of a revised Parenting Concerns Questionnaire item bank to determine if it effectively reflects the parenting concerns of parents with advanced stage cancers.
Grief in Adults who are Parents (GAP) Study
The Grief in Adults who are Parents (GAP) Research study aims to evaluate the psychosocial, parenting, family and demographic characteristics of bereaved parents with dependent children. In this web-based study, we examine grief, depression, end-of-life communication between parents, parental communication with children, and the bereaved parent’s sense of self-efficacy. This study will allow us to identify important pre- and post-death factors associated with prolonged grief in widowed parents.
Future directions
We welcome patients, family members, healthcare providers, and anyone else whose life has been touched by cancer or grief to participate in our work. If you might like to take part in future studies, we invite you to click HERE to provide your contact information.
If you are a widowed parent, we invite you to also click HERE to provide your contact information to our Widowed Parent Program team.