Accompanying research
The family audiobook intervention works – this is demonstrated by independent scientific studies that accompany our work. Since its foundation, the work of the non-profit company has been scientifically supported. The possibility of leaving a biographical audiobook can emotionally relieve seriously ill parents, give children lasting memories and strengthen relatives in dealing with grief.
Results point to the particular importance of the offer, including in terms of fostering resilience and identity building among children. With the family audiobook, emotions, values and stories can be passed on that promote childlike belonging and attachments. The preventive approach is to support children in stressful life situations and thus prevent possible consequential burdens. Accompanying research is carried out in cooperation with university partners and is an integral part of our work.
Research priorities
- Biography work in palliative care
Dr. Michaela Hesse analyzed international literature on biographical work and its use in palliative care. The results are in the publication A Review of Biographical Work in Palliative Care to read.
- Training and use of volunteers
Together with Jürgen Goldmann (Hospice service Lighthouse Bonn) developed Dr. Michaela Hesse a training concept for conducting biographical interviews by volunteers. From these findings, the need for supervision and psychological accompaniment became apparent. The results of the feasibility and implementation are included in the study. Volunteers in a Biography Project with Palliative Care Patients – A Feasibility Study (German summary) published. - Psychosocial Effects of Family Audiobooks
Dr. Michaela Hesse, Dr. Henning Cuhls and Dr. Gülay Ateş conducted qualitative interviews with seriously ill parents. The results show that the creation of a Family audiobook Helps parents to consciously shape their remaining lifetime and create lasting memories for their children. The results are in Audiobooks from Terminally Ill Parents for Their Children – A Qualitative Evaluation published. - Meaning of life and questions of identity
In another study, Dr. Michaela Hesse, Dr. Henning Cuhls and Dr. Gülay Ateş the biographical and life-sense issues of seriously ill parents compared to other palliative care patients. The publications Patients’ Priorities in a Reminiscence and Legacy Intervention in Palliative Care and Meaning in Life of Terminally Ill Parents with Minor Children Compared to Palliative Care Patients illuminate these findings. - Biography as a coping strategy
Since 2022, Familienhörbuch gGmbH has been working closely with Prof. Dr. Bernd Alt-Epping and Anja Greinacher National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg. First results were published under the title ‘Biographical audiobooks in the palliative situation: Qualitative interviews on feasibility and effectiveness on coping and disease experience” presented at the Congress of the German Society of Palliative Medicine. The full study has been published since autumn 2025 under the title “Benefits and challenges of recording biographical audiobooks by incurably ill parents to their children: A semi-structured interview study’ published (to the abstract). Use of the family audiobook
Research since 2024 Dr. Michaela Hesse, Dr. Gülay Ateş (Institute of Digital General Medicine, University Hospital Aachen) and Dr. Henning Cuhls the use of the Family audiobook, its effect on the management of grief and the satisfaction of the families concerned. First results of an online survey are available under the title The Usage of Family Audiobooks as a Legacy for Grieving Children – An Exploratory Quantitative Analysis appeared.Needs-based support
Dr. Michaela Hesse and Dr. Gülay Ateş Together they examined the psychosocial needs as well as the desire for additional skills on the part of the office, the audio biographer, the volunteers and the sound designers and sound technicians. The findings are incorporated into targeted training and supervision services, which are provided by the Reinhard Frank Foundation be made possible.
Scientific accompaniment
Quality network
English