“Its Part of Who I Am Now:” A Qualitative Study on Youth Experiences of Parental Loss During Adolescence

Abstract

Parental death during adolescence is a significant life event that can disrupt emotional, social, and developmental trajectories, yet qualitative evidence exploring its long-term impact within the Indian context remains limited. The present study aims to explore the lived experiences of youth who experienced parental loss during adolescence and to understand how these experiences continued to shape their lives in their youth. A qualitative phenomenological design was employed involving in-depth, semi-structured interviews with ten youth aged 21–29 years from Ernakulam District, Kerala, who had experienced the death of a  parent between the ages of 10 and 19 years. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling through personal and professional networks.Reflexive theme analysis was used to analyze the verbatim transcriptions of the interviews, which were done in both Malayalam and English.Four overarching themes emerged from the analysis: Initial Experiences of Bereavement, Impact on Family Dynamics and Roles, Coping Strategies and Support Systems, and Personal Growth and Long-Term Impact. Participants described bereavement as a profound developmental experience characterised by emotional disruption, changing family roles, evolving coping strategies, and enduring influences on identity, relationships, and life perspectives. While many demonstrated resilience and personal growth, grief remained an ongoing presence that continued to shape their lives years after the loss. Family support, friendships, and spirituality emerged as important sources of resilience, whereas access to professional bereavement support was notably limited.The findings contribute to the limited qualitative literature on adolescent parental bereavement in India by highlighting the long-term developmental and psychosocial consequences of parental loss. The study underscores the need for culturally responsive and developmentally informed bereavement support for adolescents and youth  experiencing parental loss.