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Egan SJ, Munro C, Pauley-Gadd SB, O'Brien A, Callaghan T, Payne N, Raghav S, Myers B, Hall C, Wilson H, Eisma MC, Boelen PA, Smith KV, Wild J, Duffy M, Trickey D, Bills E, Breen LJ. A protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial of unguided internet cognitive behaviour therapy for grief in adolescents. Internet Interv 2024; 38:100771. [PMID: 39291171 PMCID: PMC11405812 DOI: 10.1016/j.invent.2024.100771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Grief is highly prevalent in adolescents, however, there have been no studies investigating internet delivered cognitive behaviour therapy for grief in adolescents (ICBT-G-A). In this paper, the co-design of an unguided ICBT-G-A intervention is described, and a protocol outlined for a pilot randomised controlled trial of the intervention. Participants will be randomised to the intervention (delivered via eight modules over a four-week period) or a four-week waitlist control. Intervention participants will complete a follow-up assessment at one-month post-intervention (eight weeks from the pre-intervention assessment). The intervention outcomes assessed at pre-intervention, post-intervention and follow-up include wellbeing and symptoms of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and prolonged grief. User feedback on experiences and acceptability of the intervention will be sought and feasibility assessed via programmatic data on recruitment and attrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Egan
- enAble Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Discipline of Psychology, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Caitlin Munro
- enAble Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Discipline of Psychology, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Sian B Pauley-Gadd
- enAble Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Discipline of Psychology, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Amy O'Brien
- enAble Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Discipline of Psychology, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Thomas Callaghan
- enAble Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Discipline of Psychology, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Nicholas Payne
- enAble Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Discipline of Psychology, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | | | - Bronwyn Myers
- enAble Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Mental Health, Alcohol, Substance Use and Tobacco Research Unit, South African Medical Research council, Tygerberg, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape town, South Africa
| | | | - Hayden Wilson
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, Western Australia Country Health Service, Perth, Australia
| | - Maarten C Eisma
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Paul A Boelen
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
- ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Kirsten V Smith
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer Wild
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
- Phoenix Australia, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | | | | | - Elizabeth Bills
- enAble Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Discipline of Psychology, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Lauren J Breen
- enAble Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Discipline of Psychology, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
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Titlestad KB, Dyregrov K. Does 'Time Heal all Wounds?' The Prevalence and Predictors of Prolonged Grief Among Drug-Death Bereaved Family Members: A Cross-Sectional Study. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2024; 89:1628-1650. [PMID: 35482973 PMCID: PMC11423554 DOI: 10.1177/00302228221098584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Despite rising rates of drug-related deaths (DRDs), the consequences of DRDs for bereaved family members are scarcely investigated. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of prolonged grief (PG) symptoms in bereaved family members after DRDs, identify predictors of PG and examine whether symptom levels decrease with time. A cross-sectional design based on survey data from parents (n = 93), siblings (n = 78), children (n = 24) and other family members (n = 39) was conducted (n = 234). Descriptive analyses, a multivariate linear regression, and ANOVA were performed. 60 family members (26%) suffered from high levels of PG symptoms after DRDs (parents 31.2%, siblings 21.8%, children 20.9%). The strongest associations were found between a high level of symptoms and 'months since the loss', 'suicidal thoughts' and 'withdrawal from others'. The ANOVA analyses showed that time does not always 'heal all wounds', and the bereaved who lost one to 2 years ago had the highest level of PG symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine B Titlestad
- Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kari Dyregrov
- Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway
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Rashid L, Bauer A, Bowes L, Creswell C, Halligan S. Maternal experienced bereavement and offspring mental health in early adulthood: the role of modifiable parental factors. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2024; 65:1196-1212. [PMID: 38400700 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is estimated that 78% of children experience the death of a close friend or family member by 16 years of age, yet longitudinal research examining the mental health outcomes of wider experiences of bereavement is scarce. We conducted a longitudinal investigation of the association between maternal experienced bereavement before the age of 11 years and offspring depressive and anxiety disorders at age 18 and examined moderation of this association by modifiable parental factors. METHODS We analysed data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, a UK-based birth cohort, including 9,088 child participants with data available on bereavement. Bereavement was measured via maternal report at eight timepoints until children were 11 years. Offspring depressive and anxiety-related disorders were self-reported at 18 years old using the Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised (CIS-R). The potential moderating roles of maternal anxiety, maternal depression, parental monitoring, positive parenting and negative parenting practices were examined. RESULTS Maternal experienced bereavement was not associated with depression or anxiety-related disorders in early adulthood among offspring. In addition, no support was found for negative parenting practices, parental monitoring or maternal anxiety and depression as moderators of the relationship between maternal experienced bereavement and offspring mental health problems at 18 years old. Findings in relation to the moderating role of positive parenting practices were inconsistent. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that a large number of children are exposed to maternal experienced bereavement. We found no evidence that maternal experienced bereavement during childhood increases the risk for offspring psychiatric disorders in early adulthood. Several methodological considerations prudent to bereavement research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Layla Rashid
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Andreas Bauer
- Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
- Human Development and Violence Research Centre (DOVE), Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Lucy Bowes
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Cathy Creswell
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sarah Halligan
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Boyden JY, Umaretiya PJ, D'Souza L, Johnston EE. Disparities in Pediatric Palliative Care: Where Are We and Where Do We Go from Here? J Pediatr 2024; 275:114194. [PMID: 39004168 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2024.114194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Jackelyn Y Boyden
- Department of Family and Community Health, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Puja J Umaretiya
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Louise D'Souza
- Department of Family and Community Health, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Emily E Johnston
- Institute for Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL; Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.
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Chan WCH, Yu CTK, Leung GSM, Lin MKY, Leung MMM, Kwok DKS, Wu JKW. Developing a storybook package for bereaved siblings: a pilot study of the effectiveness for enhancing the perceived knowledge and confidence of health and social care professionals in Hong Kong. DEATH STUDIES 2024:1-12. [PMID: 38907952 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2024.2369889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted to examine the effectiveness of a storybook package for enhancing the perceived knowledge and confidence of health and social care professionals in working with bereaved child siblings and their parents before and after the loss. Open-ended questions were asked to collect feedback, and thematic analyses were conducted to generate the themes. Quantitative findings provided preliminary but not strong evidence of its effectiveness, but qualitative findings showed that participants perceived their knowledge about supporting bereaved siblings and their parents was enhanced and considered the storybook package a useful tool for facilitating their practice. Participants also reflected on how real and specific the stories in the storybook should be. This study is the first step in developing an evidence-based practice tool for health and social care professionals. Future studies are required to further examine its effectiveness for practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wallace Chi Ho Chan
- Department of Social Work, Education, Community Wellbeing, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | | | | | | | - Miranda Mei Mui Leung
- Retired Advanced Practice Nurse, Pediatric Palliative Care Team, Hong Kong Children's Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Denis Ka Shaw Kwok
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Høeg BL, Guldin MB, Høgh J, Volkmann JE, Wolfe J, Larsen HB, Bidstrup PE. Improving family grief outcomes: A scoping review of family-based interventions before and after the death of a child. Palliat Med 2024; 38:389-395. [PMID: 38506273 DOI: 10.1177/02692163241233958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Experiencing the illness and death of a child is a traumatic experience for the parents and the child's siblings. However, knowledge regarding effective grief interventions targeting the whole family is limited, including how to integrate age-appropriate support for siblings. AIM We aimed to synthesize the empirical literature regarding grief interventions that target the whole family before and/or after the death of a child. DESIGN A scoping review following the Joanna Briggs Institute and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. DATA SOURCES We searched PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL, and Scopus covering January 1998-May 2022. We included studies describing any type of structured intervention targeting the whole family (i.e. parents and siblings) before or/and after the death of a child (below 18 years), with pre-post assessments of grief-related symptoms in the family as an outcome. RESULTS After removal of duplicates, we screened the titles and abstracts of 4078 publications and identified 30 publications for full-text screening. None of the studies met the inclusion criteria. Most of the studies were excluded because they either did not target the whole family or did not target families who had lost a child below 18 years. Bereavement camps were a popular form of family intervention, but none were evaluated in a pre-post design. No grief interventions offering support pre-death were found. CONCLUSIONS There is great need for research to improve bereavement outcomes for the entire family and to potentially integrate this in pediatric palliative care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beverley Lim Høeg
- Psychological Aspects of Cancer, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mai-Britt Guldin
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Julie Høgh
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Joanne Wolfe
- Mass General Hospital for Children, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hanne Bækgaard Larsen
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The Juliane Marie Center, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Pernille Envold Bidstrup
- Psychological Aspects of Cancer, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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A systematic literature review of the relationship between parenting responses and child post-traumatic stress symptoms. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2023; 14:2156053. [PMID: 37052099 PMCID: PMC9788707 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2022.2156053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Parents are a key source of support for children exposed to single-incident/acute traumas and can thereby play a potentially significant role in children's post-trauma psychological adjustment. However, the evidence base examining parental responses to child trauma and child posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) has yielded mixed findings.Objective: We conducted a systematic review examining domains of parental responding in relation to child PTSS outcomes.Method: Studies were included if they (1) assessed children (6-19 years) exposed to a potentially traumatic event, (2) assessed parental responses to a child's trauma, and (3) quantitatively assessed the relationship between parental responses and child PTSS outcomes. A systematic search of three databases (APAPsycNet, PTSDpubs, and Web of Science) yielded 27 manuscripts.Results: Parental overprotection, trauma communication, avoidance of trauma discussion and of trauma reminders, and distraction were consistently related to child PTSS. There was more limited evidence of a role for trauma-related appraisals, harsh parenting, and positive parenting in influencing child outcomes. Significant limitations to the evidence base were identified, including limited longitudinal evidence, single informant bias and small effect sizes.Conclusion: We conclude that key domains of parental responses could be potential intervention targets, but further research must validate the relationship between these parental responses and child PTSS outcomes.
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Weaver MS, Nasir A, Lord BT, Starin A, Linebarger JS. Supporting the Family After the Death of a Child or Adolescent. Pediatrics 2023; 152:e2023064426. [PMID: 38009001 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2023-064426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Whether death occurs in the context of a chronic illness or as the sudden loss of a previously healthy infant, child, or adolescent, the death of a child is a highly stressful and traumatic event. Psychosocial support for families after the death of a child embodies core medical values of professional fidelity, compassion, respect for human dignity, and promotion of the best interests of a grieving family. The pediatrician has an important role in supporting the family unit after the death of a child through a family-centered, culturally humble, trauma-informed approach. This clinical report aims to provide the pediatrician with a review of the current evidence on grief, bereavement, and mourning after the loss of a child and with practical guidance to support family caregivers, siblings, and the child's community. Pediatricians have an important role in helping siblings and helping families understand sibling needs during grief. Ways for pediatricians to support family members with cultural sensitivity are suggested and other helpful resources in the community are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meaghann S Weaver
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
- National Center for Ethics in Health Care, Veterans Health Affairs, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Arwa Nasir
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Blyth T Lord
- Courageous Parents Network, Newton, Massachusetts
| | - Amy Starin
- National Association of Social Workers, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Jennifer S Linebarger
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Mercy Kansas City, University of Missouri, Kansas City, School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri
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Appiah EO, Menlah A, Xu J, Susana AA, Agyekum BS, Garti I, Kob P, Kumah J. Exploring the challenges and roles of nurses in delivering palliative care for cancer patients and co-morbidities in Ghana. BMC Palliat Care 2023; 22:121. [PMID: 37635254 PMCID: PMC10464455 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-023-01211-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients suffering from chronic and life-threatening diseases receive inadequate palliative care in low-income countries, eventually leading to poor quality of life for these patients. Little is known about the experience of delivering palliative care in a low-resource country such as Ghana in comparison to higher-income countries. This study, therefore, aimed to assess the roles and challenges of nurses providing palliative care services for patients with cancer and life-limiting conditions at tertiary Hospitals in Ghana. METHODS Thirty oncology nurses at a tertiary Hospital in Ghana participated. All nurses were providing end-of-life care to patients with cancer. A qualitative exploratory-descriptive design and a semi-structured interview guide developed by the researchers were used. Interviews lasted on average forty minutes to 1 h were audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Content analysis was carried out to generate themes and sub-themes. FINDINGS Participants were between the ages of 25 and 40 years. A higher percentage of females (n = 17, 57%) participated in the study than males (n = 13, 43%). Two main themes were generated which were the delivery of palliative care and the provision of home care services. The current roles of nurses were centered around pain management, home care services, spiritual needs, and psychological care. Challenges that hindered the implementation of palliative care included distress over expected and unexpected patient mortality, difficulty delivering bad news to patients and families, and frustration with health system resource shortages that negatively impacted patient care. CONCLUSION Palliative care is one of the essential services provided for patients with life-limiting conditions, and nurses play an active role in the provision of this care. Further research is needed to determine the most effective ways to deliver this care, particularly in developing nations like Ghana.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Awube Menlah
- Charles Darwin University, Darwin City, Australia
| | - Jiayun Xu
- Purdue University School of Nursing, 502 University Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2069 USA
| | | | - Boateng Susana Agyekum
- Nursing Department, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Valley View University, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Pascal Kob
- Nursing Training College, Lawra, Upper West Region Ghana
| | - Joyce Kumah
- Ghana Christian University College, Accra, Ghana
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Breen LJ, Greene D, Rees CS, Black A, Cawthorne M, Egan SJ. A co-designed systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of grief interventions for anxiety and depression in young people. J Affect Disord 2023; 335:289-297. [PMID: 37196936 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.05.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Grief in young people is common and associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression, yet grief interventions for this age group are under-researched. METHOD We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the efficacy of grief interventions in young people. The process was co-designed with young people and adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. PsycINFO, Medline, and Web of Science databases were searched in July 2021 (updated December 2022). RESULTS We extracted results from 28 studies of grief interventions with young people (14-24 years) that measured anxiety and/or depression (N = 2803 participants, 60 % girls/women). Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for grief demonstrated a large effect for anxiety and medium effect for depression. Meta-regression indicated that CBT for grief that included a higher degree of CBT strategies, was not trauma focused, had >10 sessions, offered on an individual basis, and did not involve parents, was associated with larger effect sizes for anxiety. Supportive therapy had a moderate effect for anxiety and a small-moderate effect for depression. Writing interventions were not effective for anxiety or depression. LIMITATIONS Studies are limited in number and there were few randomized controlled studies. CONCLUSIONS Findings indicate that CBT for grief is an effective intervention for reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression in young people experiencing grief. CBT for grief should be offered as the first line treatment for grieving young people experiencing anxiety and depression. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION PROSPERO (registration number CRD42021264856).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren J Breen
- enAble Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth 6845, Australia; Discipline of Psychology, Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Australia.
| | - Danyelle Greene
- Discipline of Psychology, Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Australia
| | - Clare S Rees
- Discipline of Psychology, Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Australia
| | - Amy Black
- Discipline of Psychology, Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Australia
| | | | - Sarah J Egan
- enAble Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth 6845, Australia; Discipline of Psychology, Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Australia
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Wallace Chi Ho C, Grace Suk Man L, Miranda Mei Mui L, Molin Kwok Yin L, Clare Tsz Kiu Y, Jody Ka-Wing W. Facing the loss of siblings in childhood: Interactions and dynamics between bereaved siblings and their parents. J Pediatr Nurs 2022; 66:e1-e8. [PMID: 35817622 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2022.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The loss of a child in a family is a painful experience. Despite this, most studies focus on the grieving experience of parents. Our understanding of sibling bereavement therefore remains underexplored. This study aims to address this gap by exploring the bereavement experience of younger bereaved siblings from the perspective of the bereaved child and the parents. METHOD This study is a qualitative study conducted in Hong Kong. We recruited eleven bereaved families from 2019 to 2020. Semi-structured interviews were conducted separately with bereaved children and parents. Thematic analyses were performed. FINDINGS Eleven bereaved siblings, aged 5 to 11, and their parents were interviewed. Four themes were generated: Parents' unawareness of bereaved siblings' grief, protecting parents from grief, comparison with the deceased siblings, and learning how to grieve. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that the family dynamics and interactions in the grieving experience are complex. The impact of grief on the bereaved child could emanate from the loss of the sibling or from the grief of the parents or from family interactions. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS This study highlights the importance of viewing the sibling bereavement experience in a family context and of enhancing sibling bereavement services. Helping professionals should not only provide more bereavement support to the bereaved siblings individually, but they should also enhance parents' capacity to support their bereaved children.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Leung Miranda Mei Mui
- Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of Nursing (Hong Kong College of Paediatric Nursing), Hong Kong
| | | | - Yu Clare Tsz Kiu
- Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
| | - Wu Jody Ka-Wing
- Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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D'Alton SV, Ridings L, Williams C, Phillips S. The bereavement experiences of children following sibling death: An integrative review. J Pediatr Nurs 2022; 66:e82-e99. [PMID: 35660123 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2022.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
PROBLEM Sibling bereavement is one of the most distressing adverse life events during childhood but has received less attention in research than other forms of childhood bereavement. This integrative review identifies potential risk and protective factors for maladaptive coping following sibling bereavement and the influence of these factors on adjustment to loss. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Articles were limited to peer-reviewed studies, published in English in 2000 and beyond. Target population was bereaved siblings 0-18 years, and outcomes examined grief experiences by child self-report or parent-proxy report. SAMPLE The Whittemore and Knafl integrative framework was applied. Multidimensional Grief Theory guided the review with twenty-five studies synthesized across its domains: Separation Distress, Existential/Identity Crisis, and Circumstance-Related Distress. RESULTS Adjustment following sibling death is a complex process associated with a host of risk and protective factors that contribute to the bereavement process for this population. Age, sex, circumstance-related factors, continuing bonds, parental distress, and limited social support were critical influencing factors. CONCLUSION Definitive predictor variables were not identified but a combination of variables that influence the adjustment of bereaved siblings are discussed. IMPLICATIONS Future research is needed to explore the risk and protective factors of maladaptive coping to inform intervention development to promote individual and family adjustment following sibling death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon V D'Alton
- Medical University of South Carolina, College of Nursing, 99 Jonathan Lucas Street, MSC 160, Charleston, SC 29425, United States of America.
| | - Leigh Ridings
- Medical University of South Carolina, College of Nursing, 99 Jonathan Lucas Street, MSC 160, Charleston, SC 29425, United States of America.
| | - Conrad Williams
- Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Pediatrics, 125 Doughty Street, MSC 917, Charleston, SC 29425, United States of America.
| | - Shannon Phillips
- Medical University of South Carolina, College of Nursing, 99 Jonathan Lucas Street, MSC 160, Charleston, SC 29425, United States of America.
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Boyden JY, Hill DL, Nye RT, Bona K, Johnston EE, Hinds P, Friebert S, Kang TI, Hays R, Hall M, Wolfe J, Feudtner C. Pediatric Palliative Care Parents' Distress, Financial Difficulty, and Child Symptoms. J Pain Symptom Manage 2022; 63:271-282. [PMID: 34425212 PMCID: PMC8816828 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Parents of patients with a serious illness experience psychological distress, which impacts parents' wellbeing and, potentially, their ability to care for their children. Parent psychological distress may be influenced by children's symptom burden and by families' financial difficulty. OBJECTIVES This study examined the associations among parent psychological distress, parent-reported patient symptoms, and financial difficulty, seeking to determine the relative association of financial difficulty and of patient symptoms to parent psychological distress. METHODS Cross-sectional study of baseline data for 601 parents of 532 pediatric palliative care patients enrolled in a prospective cohort study conducted at seven US children's hospitals. Data included self-reported parent psychological distress and parent report of child's symptoms and family financial difficulty. We used ordinary least squares multiple regressions to examine the association between psychological distress and symptom score, between psychological distress and financial difficulty, and whether the degree of financial difficulty modified the relationship between psychological distress and symptom score. RESULTS The majority of parents were moderately to severely distressed (69%) or severely distressed (17%) and experienced some degree of financial difficulty (65%). While children's symptom scores and family financial difficulty together explained more of the variance in parental psychological distress than either variable alone, parental distress was associated more strongly, and to a larger degree, with financial difficulty than with symptom scores alone. CONCLUSIONS Parent psychological distress was associated with parent-reported patient symptoms and financial difficulty. Future work should examine these relationships longitudinally, and whether interventions to improve symptom management and ameliorate financial difficulties improve parental outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackelyn Y Boyden
- Justin Ingerman Center for Palliative Care (J.Y.B., D.L.H., R.T.N., C.F.), The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Douglas L Hill
- Justin Ingerman Center for Palliative Care (J.Y.B., D.L.H., R.T.N., C.F.), The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Russell T Nye
- Justin Ingerman Center for Palliative Care (J.Y.B., D.L.H., R.T.N., C.F.), The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kira Bona
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Division of Population Sciences (K.B.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Medical School (K.B.), Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Emily E Johnston
- Department of Pediatrics (E.E.J.), Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Pamela Hinds
- Children's National Hospital (P.H.), Department of Nursing Science, Professional Practice & Quality, Department of Pediatrics, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Sarah Friebert
- Department of Pediatrics( S.F.), Division of Palliative Care, Akron Children's Hospital and Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute, Akron, Ohio, USA
| | - Tammy I Kang
- Department of Pediatrics (T.I.K.), Section of Palliative Care, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Ross Hays
- Department of Pediatrics (R.H.), Division of Bioethics and Palliative Care, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Matt Hall
- Children's Hospital Association (M.H.), Lenexa, Kansas, USA
| | - Joanne Wolfe
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology (J.W.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Pediatrics (J.W.), Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Chris Feudtner
- Justin Ingerman Center for Palliative Care (J.Y.B., D.L.H., R.T.N., C.F.), The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Department of Pediatrics (C.F.), Medical Ethics and Health Policy, The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
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14
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Vig PS, Lim JY, Lee RWL, Huang H, Tan XH, Lim WQ, Lim MBXY, Lee ASI, Chiam M, Lim C, Baral VR, Krishna LKR. Parental bereavement - impact of death of neonates and children under 12 years on personhood of parents: a systematic scoping review. BMC Palliat Care 2021; 20:136. [PMID: 34481491 PMCID: PMC8418708 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-021-00831-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Losing a child tragically impacts the well-being and functioning of parents. With these effects extending beyond emotional, physical morbidity and compromising self-perceptions, appropriate, longitudinal, timely and personalised support is key to effective care of bereaved parents. However, in the absence of a comprehensive understanding of parental bereavement, effective support of bereaved parents remains suboptimal. To address this gap, we scrutinise prevailing data on the effects of a child's death, aged 0-12 years, through the lens of the Ring Theory of Personhood (RToP). METHODS To study prevailing accounts of bereaved parents following the death of a child, we adopt Krishna's Systematic Evidence Based Approach (SEBA) to structure our Systematic Scoping Review (SSR in SEBA). RESULTS Three thousand seventy-four abstracts were reviewed, 160 full text articles were evaluated, and 111 articles were included and analysed using thematic and content analysis. Four themes/categories were identified relating to the four rings of the RToP. Findings reveal that static concepts of protective and risk factors for grief are misplaced and that the support of healthcare professionals is key to assisting bereaved parents. CONCLUSION In the absence of consistent support of bereaved parents, this study highlights the need for effective training of healthcare professionals, beginning with an appreciation that every aspect of an individual parent's personhood is impacted by the loss of their child. Acknowledging grief as a complex, evolving and personalised process subjected to parental characteristics, settings, context and available support, this SSR in SEBA calls attention to effective nurturing of the relationship between parents and healthcare professionals, and suggests use of the RToP to assess and direct personalised, timely, specific support of parents in evolving conditions. We believe the findings of this review also call for further studies to support healthcare professionals as they journey with bereaved parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prachi Simran Vig
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road NUHS Tower Block, Level 11, Singapore, 119228 Singapore
- Division of Palliative and Supportive Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, Singapore, 169610 Singapore
| | - Jia Yin Lim
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road NUHS Tower Block, Level 11, Singapore, 119228 Singapore
- Division of Palliative and Supportive Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, Singapore, 169610 Singapore
| | - Randal Wei Liang Lee
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road NUHS Tower Block, Level 11, Singapore, 119228 Singapore
- Division of Palliative and Supportive Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, Singapore, 169610 Singapore
| | - Huixin Huang
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road NUHS Tower Block, Level 11, Singapore, 119228 Singapore
- Division of Palliative and Supportive Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, Singapore, 169610 Singapore
| | - Xiu Hui Tan
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road NUHS Tower Block, Level 11, Singapore, 119228 Singapore
- Division of Palliative and Supportive Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, Singapore, 169610 Singapore
| | - Wei Qiang Lim
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road NUHS Tower Block, Level 11, Singapore, 119228 Singapore
- Division of Palliative and Supportive Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, Singapore, 169610 Singapore
| | - Marie Bernadette Xin Yi Lim
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road NUHS Tower Block, Level 11, Singapore, 119228 Singapore
- Division of Palliative and Supportive Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, Singapore, 169610 Singapore
| | - Alexia Sze Inn Lee
- Division of Cancer Education, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, Singapore, 169610 Singapore
| | - Min Chiam
- Division of Cancer Education, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, Singapore, 169610 Singapore
| | - Crystal Lim
- Medical Social Services, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, Block 3 Level 1, Singapore, 169608 Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857 Singapore
| | - Vijayendra Ranjan Baral
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road NUHS Tower Block, Level 11, Singapore, 119228 Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857 Singapore
- Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, Block 5 Level 4, Singapore, 169608 Singapore
| | - Lalit Kumar Radha Krishna
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road NUHS Tower Block, Level 11, Singapore, 119228 Singapore
- Division of Palliative and Supportive Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, Singapore, 169610 Singapore
- Division of Cancer Education, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, Singapore, 169610 Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857 Singapore
- Palliative Care Institute Liverpool, Academic Palliative & End of Life Care Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics, National University of Singapore, Blk MD11, 10 Medical Drive, #02-03, Singapore, 117597 Singapore
- PalC, The Palliative Care Centre for Excellence in Research and Education, PalC c/o Dover Park Hospice, 10 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore, 308436 Singapore
- Cancer Research Centre, University of Liverpool, 200 London Rd, Liverpool, L3 9TA UK
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15
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McNeil MJ, Baker JN, Snyder I, Rosenberg AR, Kaye EC. Grief and Bereavement in Fathers After the Death of a Child: A Systematic Review. Pediatrics 2021; 147:peds.2020-040386. [PMID: 33648950 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2020-040386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT The death of a child is devastating, and complicated grief adversely impacts parental physical and psychosocial well-being. Most research currently is centered on bereaved mothers, and the experiences of fathers remains underexplored. OBJECTIVE We systematically reviewed the literature to characterize the grief and bereavement experiences of fathers after the death of a child. DATA SOURCES We searched Medline, PsycInfo, Embase, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. STUDY SELECTION Inclusion criteria encompassed English language articles published between 2007 and 2019 that evaluated the grief and bereavement experiences of fathers after the death of their child. We excluded studies describing paternal bereavement after the death of a child aged older than 21 years, stillbirth, miscarriage, or studies that did not specify age of death. DATA EXTRACTION Extracted domains included study design, demographics, findings, and quality assessment. RESULTS We screened 1848 deduplicated titles and abstracts and 139 full articles, yielding 21 articles for inclusion in this analysis. Fathers often avoided discussing their grief with others, returned to work earlier, and used goal-oriented tasks as coping strategies. Intense grief reactions and posttraumatic psychological sequelae diminished over time in mothers yet persisted in fathers. LIMITATIONS Included studies were primarily descriptive in nature, without ability to ascertain causality. Limited paternal data exists in the literature compared with maternal data. CONCLUSIONS Despite evolving gender roles, many fathers navigate loss through stoicism, self-isolation, and hard work. For some fathers, these coping mechanisms may be inadequate for navigating grief.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J McNeil
- Division of Quality and Life and Palliative Care, Department of Oncology St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee;
| | - Justin N Baker
- Division of Quality and Life and Palliative Care, Department of Oncology St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Ian Snyder
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Abby R Rosenberg
- Palliative Care and Resilience Laboratory, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington; and.,Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Erica C Kaye
- Division of Quality and Life and Palliative Care, Department of Oncology St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
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16
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Brown EJ, Cohen JA, Mannarino AP. Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: The role of caregivers. J Affect Disord 2020; 277:39-45. [PMID: 32791391 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.07.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood trauma exposure is unfortunately common and is associated with the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as a number of other serious medical and mental and health disorders. After experiencing trauma, children depend on their non-offending parents to believe and support them, reframe the meaning of the trauma, and to keep them safe from future harm. Parents are often negatively impacted by their child's trauma which may contribute to the child's risk for developing PTSD and related problems. Including parents in treatment may enhance child outcomes. METHODS Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based child and adolescent trauma treatment model that integrally includes non-offending parents or caregivers throughout treatment (hereafter referred to as "caregivers"). This article describes TF-CBT's underlying concepts, principles and core components, as well as the role of caregiver inclusion in this model, and evaluates the extant evidence for caregiver factors in predicting TF-CBT outcomes. RESULTS Several studies suggest that inclusion of non-offending caregivers is associated with TF-CBT outcomes, and that this may occur through enhancing caregiver support of the child and/or reducing caregivers' trauma-related maladaptive cognitions. LIMITATIONS Few studies have evaluated whether caregiver factors served as formal treatment mediators. CONCLUSIONS Including non-offending caregivers in TF-CBT can improve youth outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elissa J Brown
- Professor of Psychology, St. John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY 11439, United States.
| | - Judith A Cohen
- Professor of Psychiatry, Drexel University College of Medicine, Allegheny Health Network/Allegheny General Hospital, 4 Allegheny Center, 8th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, United States.
| | - Anthony P Mannarino
- Professor and Vice ChairDepartment of Psychiatry, Allegheny General Hospital, Allegheny Health Network, Drexel University College of Medicine, 4 Allegheny Center, 8th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, United States.
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17
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Morris S, Fletcher K, Goldstein R. The Grief of Parents After the Death of a Young Child. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 2020; 26:321-338. [PMID: 30488260 DOI: 10.1007/s10880-018-9590-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Research demonstrates that severe forms of grief and grief-related pathology exist in the general population. Less attention, however, has been paid to the grief of parents following the death of a young, dependent child. In this review, we summarize a search of Pubmed, PsycINFO and Web of Science from 1995 to 2017, using the terms 'parental complicated grief', 'parental traumatic grief', and 'parent Prolonged Grief Disorder', specifically addressing parental grief and identified risk factors for complicated or prolonged grief. Forty-two studies met criteria and indicate a significant burden of complicated or prolonged grief in parents of children dying from virtually any cause. It appears that the empiric literature is undermined by great variability, including the composition of samples, the causes of death studied, the psychometric measures used, and post-loss intervals. We conclude that the uniform severity of grief experiences following the death of a young child is potentially a distinct subtype of grief, deserving of attention in its own right in future research and diagnostic formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sue Morris
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children's Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
| | - Kalen Fletcher
- Department of Social Work, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Richard Goldstein
- Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
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18
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Weaver MS, October T, Feudtner C, Hinds PS. "Good-Parent Beliefs": Research, Concept, and Clinical Practice. Pediatrics 2020; 145:peds.2019-4018. [PMID: 32439815 PMCID: PMC7263052 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2019-4018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Parents of ill children have willingly identified their personal beliefs about what they should do or focus on to fulfill their own internal definition of being a good parent for their child. This observation has led to the development of the good-parent beliefs concept over the past decade. A growing qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research base has explored the ways that good-parent beliefs guide family decision-making and influence family relationships. Parents have expressed comfort in speaking about their good-parent beliefs. Whether parents achieve their unique good-parent beliefs definition affects their sense of whether they did a good job in their role of parenting their ill child. In this state-of-the-art article, we offer an overview of the good-parent beliefs concept over the past decade, addressing what is currently known and gaps in what we know, and explore how clinicians may incorporate discussions about the good-parent beliefs into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meaghann S. Weaver
- Division of Pediatric Palliative Care, Children’s Hospital and Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Tessie October
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia;,Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Chris Feudtner
- Department of Medical Ethics and Pediatric Advanced Care Team, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;,Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and
| | - Pamela S. Hinds
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia;,Department of Nursing Science, Professional Practice and Quality, Children’s National Health System, Washington, District of Columbia
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19
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Howard Sharp KM, Meadows EA, Keim MC, Winning AM, Barrera M, Gilmer MJ, Akard TF, Compas BE, Fairclough DL, Davies B, Hogan N, Vannatta K, Gerhardt CA. The Influence of Parent Distress and Parenting on Bereaved Siblings' Externalizing Problems. JOURNAL OF CHILD AND FAMILY STUDIES 2020; 29:1081-1093. [PMID: 33343178 PMCID: PMC7748062 DOI: 10.1007/s10826-019-01640-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Bereaved siblings experience more externalizing problems compared to non-bereaved peers and norms; however, the mechanisms explaining this phenomenon have not been empirically examined. This study tested the serial indirect effects of sibling bereavement on adolescents' externalizing problems through parent distress (i.e., internalizing symptoms) and parenting (i.e., parenting behaviors, parent-adolescent communication). METHODS During home visits, 72 bereaved adolescents (ages 10-18) whose brother/sister died from cancer and 60 comparison peers reported about their externalizing problems and their mothers' and fathers' parenting behaviors (warmth, behavioral control, psychological control) and parent-adolescent communication (open communication, problematic communication). Mothers and fathers reported their own internalizing symptoms. RESULTS Bereaved siblings reported more externalizing problems (p =.048) and bereaved mothers reported more internalizing symptoms relative to the comparison group (p =.015). Serial multiple mediation models indicated that elevated externalizing problems were partially explained by both bereaved mothers' internalizing symptoms and parenting and communication (less warmth [CI: 0.04, 0.86], more psychological control [CI: 0.03, 0.66], and more problematic mother-adolescent communication [CI: 0.03, 0.79]), with a significant indirect effect also emerging for open mother-adolescent communication [CI: 0.05, 1.59]. Bereaved fathers did not significantly differ in internalizing symptoms from comparison fathers (p =.453), and no significant indirect effects emerged for fathers. CONCLUSIONS Elevated externalizing problems in bereaved siblings may result from mothers' distress and the impact on their parenting and communication. Targeting adjustment and parenting in bereaved mothers following a child's death may reduce externalizing problems in bereaved siblings. Research to evaluate family-centered interventions is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katianne M Howard Sharp
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Kathryn Vannatta
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Cynthia A Gerhardt
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
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20
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Brown EJ, Goodman RF, Cohen JA, Mannarino AP, Chaplin WF. An Exploratory Trial of Cognitive-Behavioral vs Client-Centered Therapies for Child-Mother Dyads Bereaved from Terrorism. JOURNAL OF CHILD & ADOLESCENT TRAUMA 2020; 13:113-125. [PMID: 32318234 PMCID: PMC7163875 DOI: 10.1007/s40653-019-00264-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The study was an evaluation of Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT; Cohen et al. 2017) with child-caregiver dyads who experienced the death of a loved one from terrorism, using a hybrid efficacy/effectiveness design in which there were no required minimum symptom levels. Forty children ages 4-17 years old whose fathers died in the line of duty on 9/11/2001 and their mothers participated in an RCT comparing TF-CBT and Client-Centered Therapy (CCT). At baseline, mothers' PTSD, depression, and prolonged grief symptoms were highly elevated, whereas children's were at normative levels. Using intent-to-treat analysis, condition-by-time interactions showed significantly greater symptom reduction for mothers receiving CBT than those receiving CCT. For the children, both treatments led to significant symptom improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elissa J. Brown
- Department of Psychology, St. John’s University, Queens, NY USA
- Child HELP Partnership, St. John’s University, 152-11 Union Turnpike, Flushing, NY 11367 USA
| | - Robin F. Goodman
- Department of Psychiatry, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Judith A. Cohen
- Department of Psychiatry, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA USA
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21
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Nagoya Y, Miyashita M, Irie W, Yotani N, Shiwaku H. Development of a Proxy Quality-of-Life Rating Scale for the End-of-Life Care of Pediatric Cancer Patients Evaluated from a Nurse's Perspective. J Palliat Med 2020; 23:82-89. [DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2018.0598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Nagoya
- Department of Child Health Nursing, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Miyagi, Japan
- Miyagi Children's Hospital, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Mitsunori Miyashita
- Department of Palliative Nursing, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Wataru Irie
- Department of Child Health Nursing, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Yotani
- Division of Palliative Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Shiwaku
- Department of Child Health Nursing, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Miyagi, Japan
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22
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Reconsidering early parental grief following the death of a child from cancer: a new framework for future research and bereavement support. Support Care Cancer 2019; 28:4131-4139. [DOI: 10.1007/s00520-019-05249-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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23
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Griffiths N, Mazzucchelli TG, Skinner S, Kane RT, Breen LJ. A pilot study of a new bereavement program for children: Lionheart Camp for Kids. DEATH STUDIES 2019; 46:780-790. [PMID: 31858883 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2019.1702121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
We assessed the acceptability and effectiveness of a new childhood bereavement service known as Lionheart Camp for Kids. Using a pre-post-follow-up design, data pertaining to 12 bereaved children (aged 5-12 years) and their primary caregivers were obtained. Results showed that caregivers reported decreases in children's peer relationship problems, improvements in parental consistency, and reductions in coercive parenting, and there was a trend toward lower self-reported grief by the children. Caregivers were highly satisfied with the program. There is a need for a wait-list or randomized controlled trial over a longer time period to determine the full benefits of the camp.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Shelly Skinner
- Lionheart Camps for Kids, Perth, Australia
- Perth Children's Hospital, Perth, Australia
| | - Robert T Kane
- School of Psychology, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Lauren J Breen
- School of Psychology, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
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24
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Haylett WJ, Tilley DS. The Phenomenon of Bereaved Parenting: An Integrative Review of Literature. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2018; 82:424-445. [PMID: 30563427 DOI: 10.1177/0030222818819350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Bereaved parenting, a role that entails parenting surviving children after experiencing the death of a child, is a unique but understudied phenomenon within bereavement research. Not much is known about the impact of a child's death on this crucial familial role. An integrative review of literature of 20 studies across psychology, nursing, communications, social work, and family sciences was undertaken to determine the current state of science regarding bereaved parenting. Results revealed three influential contexts: the general context of parental grief and bereavement, described as traumatic and life-changing experiences; the personal context of the resulting parental changes and coping strategies; and the relational context of the subsequent parenting of surviving children, an experience characterized by periodic conflict between personal and children's needs, emotional fluctuations, challenges with levels of protectiveness and control, and a heightened sense of responsibility within the parental role. Discussion of results and implications for research are presented.
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25
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Hardt M, Jobe-Shields L, Williams JL. Emotional security theory: An application to sibling bereavement. DEATH STUDIES 2018; 43:656-664. [PMID: 30207877 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2018.1511637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2017] [Revised: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
There is a need for guiding theory to understand the experiences and outcomes of bereaved siblings, particularly from a family systems framework. The present study investigated the relevance of emotional security theory in a sample of 72 young adults who experienced sibling bereavement. We investigated (1) whether perceptions of prolonged parental grief predicted key aspects of emotional security (disengagement, preoccupation, and security), and (2) whether emotional security mediated a relation between perceptions of prolonged parental grief and young adult emotional functioning. Results supported the potential utility of emotional security theory as a theoretical framework for understanding sibling bereavement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine Hardt
- Department of Psychology, University of Richmond , Richmond , VA , USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Missouri , Kansas City , MO , USA
| | - Lisa Jobe-Shields
- Department of Psychology, University of Richmond , Richmond , VA , USA
| | - Joah L Williams
- Department of Psychology, University of Missouri , Kansas City , MO , USA
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Hoffmann R, Kaiser J, Kersting A. Psychosocial outcomes in cancer-bereaved children and adolescents: A systematic review. Psychooncology 2018; 27:2327-2338. [PMID: 30120901 DOI: 10.1002/pon.4863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Revised: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Due to the unique importance of parental and sibling relationships and concurrently existing developmental challenges, the loss of a parent or sibling due to cancer is a highly stressful event for children and adolescents. This is the first systematic review that integrates findings on psychosocial outcomes after parental or sibling cancer bereavement. METHODS A systematic search of Web of Science, PubMed, PsycINFO, and PubPsych was conducted, last in December 2017. Quantitative studies on psychosocial outcomes of children and adolescents who lost a parent or sibling due to cancer were included. RESULTS Twenty-four studies (N = 10 parental and N = 14 sibling bereavement), based on 13 projects, were included. Ten projects had cross-sectional designs. Only 2 projects used large, population-based samples and nonbereaved comparison groups. Outcomes were partially measured by single-item questions. Bereaved children and adolescents showed similar levels of depression and anxiety compared with nonbereaved or norms. Severe behavioral problems were found rarely. However, in 2 large, population-based studies, about half of the bereaved individuals reported unresolved grief. Bereaved adolescents had a higher risk for self-injury compared with the general population in one large, population-based study. Communication with health-care professionals, family, and other people; social support; distress during illness; age; gender; and time because loss were associated with psychosocial bereavement outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Results indicate a high level of adjustment in cancer-bereaved children and adolescents. A modifiable risk factor for adverse psychosocial consequences is poor communication. Prospective designs, representative samples, and validated instruments, eg, for prolonged grief, are suggested for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahel Hoffmann
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Julia Kaiser
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anette Kersting
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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Lövgren M, Sveen J, Nyberg T, Eilegård Wallin A, Prigerson HG, Steineck G, Kreicbergs U. Care at End of Life Influences Grief: A Nationwide Long-Term Follow-Up among Young Adults Who Lost a Brother or Sister to Childhood Cancer. J Palliat Med 2017; 21:156-162. [PMID: 28949788 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2017.0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A majority of cancer-bereaved siblings report long-term unresolved grief, thus it is important to identify factors that may contribute to resolving their grief. OBJECTIVE To identify modifiable or avoidable family and care-related factors associated with unresolved grief among siblings two to nine years post loss. DESIGN This is a nationwide Swedish postal survey. MEASUREMENTS Study-specific questions and the standardized instrument Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Primary outcome was unresolved grief, and family and care-related factors were used as predictors. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS Cancer-bereaved sibling (N = 174) who lost a brother/sister to childhood cancer during 2000-2007 in Sweden (participation rate 73%). Seventy-three were males and 101 females. The age of the siblings at time of loss was 12-25 years and at the time of the survey between 19 and 33 years. RESULTS Several predictors for unresolved grief were identified: siblings' perception that it was not a peaceful death [odds ratio (OR): 9.86, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.39-40.65], limited information given to siblings the last month of life (OR: 5.96, 95% CI: 1.87-13.68), information about the impending death communicated the day before it occurred (OR: 2.73, 95% CI: 1.02-7.33), siblings' avoidance of the doctors (OR: 3.22, 95% CI: 0.75-13.76), and lack of communication with family (OR: 2.86, 95% CI: 1.01-8.04) and people outside the family about death (OR: 5.07, 95% CI: 1.64-15.70). Depressive symptoms (OR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.12-1.45) and time since loss (two to four years: OR: 10.36, 95% CI: 2.87-37.48 and five to seven years: OR: 8.36, 95% CI: 2.36-29.57) also predicted unresolved grief. Together, these predictors explained 54% of the variance of unresolved grief. CONCLUSION Siblings' perception that it was not a peaceful death and poor communication with family, friends, and healthcare increased the risk for unresolved grief among the siblings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malin Lövgren
- 1 Department of Caring Sciences, Palliative Research Centre, Ersta Sköndal University College , Stockholm, Sweden .,2 Departments of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institute , Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Josefin Sveen
- 1 Department of Caring Sciences, Palliative Research Centre, Ersta Sköndal University College , Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tommy Nyberg
- 3 Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute , Stockholm, Sweden .,4 Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology, University of Cambridge , Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Holly G Prigerson
- 6 Weill Cornell Medicine, Center for Research on End-of-Life Care , New York, New York
| | - Gunnar Steineck
- 3 Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute , Stockholm, Sweden .,7 Department of Oncology, Sahlgrenska Academy , Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ulrika Kreicbergs
- 1 Department of Caring Sciences, Palliative Research Centre, Ersta Sköndal University College , Stockholm, Sweden .,2 Departments of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institute , Stockholm, Sweden
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Wise AE, Delahanty DL. Parental Factors Associated with Child Post-traumatic Stress Following Injury: A Consideration of Intervention Targets. Front Psychol 2017; 8:1412. [PMID: 28878711 PMCID: PMC5572291 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms are relatively common following pediatric traumatic injury and are related to poor long-term child outcomes. However, due to concerns regarding the efficacy of early child preventive interventions, and difficulty intervening with injured and medicated children soon after the event, it is not feasible to provide early psychological interventions to children exposed to traumatic injury. Parental PTSD symptoms and reactions to the child's traumatic injury impact child outcomes and provide potential targets for early intervention to reduce child symptom development without involving the child. The authors conducted a review of the literature using Psycinfo and Pubmed research databases (publication years = 1990-2017) and identified 65 published studies relevant to the topic of the review. The present review considers parent factors [parenting styles, parental post-traumatic pathology (PTS), adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies, and communication regarding the traumatic injury] and their impact on child PTS. We focus specifically on factors amenable to intervention. We further review moderators of these relationships (e.g., child age and gender, parent gender) and conclude that it is unlikely that a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment will be successful. Rather, it is necessary to consider the age and gender of parent child dyads in designing and providing targeted interventions to families following the traumatic injury of a child.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna E. Wise
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kent State University, KentOH, United States
| | - Douglas L. Delahanty
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kent State University, KentOH, United States
- Northeast Ohio Medical University, RootstownOH, United States
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Parental coping in the context of having a child who is facing death: A theoretical framework. Palliat Support Care 2017; 16:432-441. [DOI: 10.1017/s1478951517000463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACTObjective:While improvements in healthcare have resulted in children with complex and life-threatening conditions living longer, a proportion of them still die. The death of a child puts parents at increased risk for anxiety, depression, and complicated grief. Increasing our understanding of the coping strategies that parents use under such extreme circumstances will enable us to best provide support to families, before and after a child's death. Our aim herein was to develop a theoretical framework of parental coping.Method:Evidence from the literature was employed to develop a theoretical framework to describe parental coping in the context of having a child with a life-limiting illness who is declining and facing eventual death.Results:The reasoning and argument consists of three guiding elements: (1) the importance of approach as well as avoidance (as coping strategies) in the context of managing the extreme emotions; (2) the importance of the social aspect of coping within a family, whereby parents cope for others as well as for themselves; and (3) the importance of a flexible and balanced coping profile, with parents using different coping strategies simultaneously. Central to the proposed framework is that effective coping, in terms of adjustment, is achieved by balancing coping strategies: accessing different coping strategies simultaneously or in parallel with a specific focus on (1) approach and avoidance and (2) coping aimed at self and others.Significance of results:Understanding of parental coping strategies is essential for health professionals in order to support parents effectively.
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Nagoya Y, Miyashita M, Shiwaku H. Pediatric Cancer Patients' Important End-of-Life Issues, Including Quality of Life: A Survey of Pediatric Oncologists and Nurses in Japan. J Palliat Med 2017; 20:487-493. [DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2016.0242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Nagoya
- Department of Child Health Nursing, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Miyagi, Japan
- Miyagi Children's Hospital, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Mitsunori Miyashita
- Department of Palliative Nursing, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Shiwaku
- Department of Child Health Nursing, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Miyagi, Japan
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