Bereavement following the loss of a close relative during childhood can have emotional, cognitive, and social consequences. Children’s understanding of death and loss varies according to their developmental level, and they may have limited coping skills to deal with such experiences. Although grief reactions often decrease over time, the effects of childhood bereavement may persist into adulthood or re-emerge during important life stages. Despite numerous studies on childhood bereavement, less attention has been given to how young adults retrospectively recall and make meaning of these experiences.

The present qualitative study aims to identify young adults’ narratives of bereavement following the loss of close relatives during childhood and addresses the question: “What are the narratives of young adults regarding the loss of close relatives during childhood?” The study will use narrative analysis. Participants will be young adults aged 18–30 residing in Tehran who experienced the loss of a close relative before the age of 10. Purposive and snowball sampling will be used, and data will be collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews until theoretical saturation is reached. The findings are expected to contribute to a deeper understanding of childhood bereavement experiences and the needs of bereaved individuals.