Parental cancer caregiving in emerging and young adulthood: the impact of sibling dynamics on the caregiving experience

Abstract

While emerging and young adults are increasingly becoming caregivers to a parent diagnosed with cancer, little is known about how sibling relationships are impacted across the caregiving trajectory. To explore this, bereaved emerging and young adult caregivers (EYACs; aged 18–35) whose parent died of cancer within 1 year of diagnosis completed semi-structured interviews. Transcripts were thematically analyzed and EYACs described impacts on sibling bonds in three areas: openness, caregiving involvement, and relational connectedness during bereavement. Pathways were formed, lasting throughout the caregiving trajectory—open communication and collaboration during caregiving led to strengthened relational connection in bereavement, and tense communication and perceived abandonment worsened relational connectedness. While sibling caregiving conflicts can occur at any age, EYACs lack conflict-management skills to preserve sibling relationships and, without targeted support, may face long-term relational consequences and emotional distress. Future research should develop skills-building interventions to help EYAC siblings navigate caregiving conflict.