1
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Ivynian SE, Maccallum F, Chang S, Breen LJ, Phillips JL, Agar M, Hosie A, Tieman J, DiGiacomo M, Luckett T, Philip J, Dadich A, Grossman C, Gilmore I, Harlum J, Kinchin I, Glasgow N, Lobb EA. Support needs of Australians bereaved during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey study. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0304025. [PMID: 38843213 PMCID: PMC11156310 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 disrupted access to bereavement support. The objective of this study was to identify the bereavement supports used by Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic, perceived helpfulness of supports used, prevalence and areas of unmet support need, and characteristics of those with unmet support needs. METHODS A convenience sample of bereaved adults completed an online questionnaire (April 2021-April 2022) about their bereavement experiences including support use and perceived helpfulness, unmet support needs and mental health. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to determine sociodemographic correlates of unmet needs. Open-ended responses were examined using content analysis to determine key themes. RESULTS 1,878 bereaved Australians completed the questionnaire. Participants were mostly women (94.9%) living in major cities (68%) and reported the death of a parent (45%), with an average age of 55.1 years (SD = 12.2). The five most used supports were family and friends, self-help resources, general practitioners, psychologists, and internet/online community groups. Notably, each was nominated as most helpful and most unhelpful by participants. Two-thirds (66%) reported specific unmet support needs. Those with unmet needs scored lower on mental health measures. Correlates of unmet needs included being of younger age, being a spouse or parent to the deceased; reporting more impacts from public health measures, and not reporting family and friends as supports. The most frequent unmet need was for social support after the death and during lockdown. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates the complexity of bereavement support needs during a pandemic. Specialised grief therapy needs to be more readily available to the minority of grievers who would benefit from it. A clear recommendation for a bereavement support action plan is to bolster the ability of social networks to provide support in times of loss. The fostering of social support in the wake of bereavement is a major gap that needs to be addressed in practice, policy, and research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serra E. Ivynian
- Faculty of Health, IMPACCT, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Fiona Maccallum
- Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, School of Psychology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Sungwon Chang
- Faculty of Health, IMPACCT, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Lauren J. Breen
- Curtin School of Population Health and Curtin enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia
| | - Jane L. Phillips
- Faculty of Health, IMPACCT, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Health, School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia
| | - Meera Agar
- Faculty of Health, IMPACCT, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Annmarie Hosie
- Faculty of Health, IMPACCT, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
- School of Nursing & Midwifery, University of Notre Dame Australia, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
- St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Jennifer Tieman
- Faculty of Health Sciences, RePaDD, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Michelle DiGiacomo
- Faculty of Health, IMPACCT, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Tim Luckett
- Faculty of Health, IMPACCT, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Jennifer Philip
- Department of Medicine, St Vincent’s Hospital, University of Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Ann Dadich
- School of Business, Western Sydney University, Parramatta, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Imelda Gilmore
- Faculty of Health, IMPACCT, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Janeane Harlum
- District Palliative Care Service, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
| | - Irina Kinchin
- Centre for Health Policy and Management, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Nicholas Glasgow
- Medical School, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Elizabeth A. Lobb
- Faculty of Health, IMPACCT, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
- Department of Palliative Care, Calvary Health Care Kogarah, Kogarah, NSW, Australia
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2
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Zammit T, Mancini VO, Reid C, Singer J, Staniland L, Breen LJ. Prolonged Grief Disorder, but Not Death From COVID-19, Elicits Public Stigma: A Vignette-Based Experiment. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2024:302228241257306. [PMID: 38834179 DOI: 10.1177/00302228241257306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
We investigated the effects of cause of death (COVID-19 with an underlying medical condition vs. without) and prolonged grief disorder status (PGD present or absent) on participants' reported public stigma towards the bereaved. Participants (N = 304, 66% women; Mage = 39.39 years) were randomly assigned to read one of four vignettes describing a bereaved man. Participants completed stigma measures assessing negative attributions, desired social distance, and emotional reactions. Participants reported significantly stronger stigmatizing responses towards an individual with PGD (vs. without PGD) across all stigma measures. There was no significant difference in stigma based on cause of death; however, stigma was reported regardless of cause of death. There was no significant interaction between cause of death and PGD on stigma. This study supports the robust finding of public stigma being reported toward an individual with PGD, suggesting these individuals are at risk of public stigma and not receiving adequate bereavement support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Zammit
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Vincent O Mancini
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- UWA Medical School, Division of Paediatrics, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
- Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Australia
| | - Carly Reid
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Jonathan Singer
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Lexy Staniland
- Curtin enAble Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Lauren J Breen
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Curtin enAble Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
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3
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Hansen KL, Guldin MB, Fosgerau CF. Grief participation rights and the social support hierarchy: Exploring the communicative role of the bereaved in a social support interaction. DEATH STUDIES 2024; 48:465-477. [PMID: 37471460 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2023.2235582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
This article explores how bereaved individuals co-construct social support and social norms in the social interaction of 14 bereavement group meetings in Denmark. To study this, we used a discourse analytical approach focusing on how the participants position their social supporters. The results show that the participants designate, uphold, and presuppose two hierarchical positions to bereaved and non-bereaved supporters with different abilities to understand them. Based on this finding, the concepts of "grief participation rights" and "social support hierarchy" are proposed to supplement existing notions of "rights to grieve" and "grief hierarchy." These concepts suggest that non-bereaved supporters are not accorded the same participatory rights in social support conversations as bereaved individuals who have suffered a similar loss as the speaker. The concepts are discussed in relation to effective social support and in the context of research on social disconnection in grief.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrine Lund Hansen
- Department of Nordic Studies and Linguistics, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mai-Britt Guldin
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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4
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Freitas MJ, Remondes-Costa S, Veiga E, Macedo G, Teixeira RJ, Leite M. Life beyond Loss: A Retrospective Analysis of the Impact of Meaning of Life Therapy on the Grieving Process of Cancer Patients' Family Caregivers. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:471. [PMID: 38391846 PMCID: PMC10887668 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12040471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Oncological disease in the palliative stage is a huge challenge for patients and their family caregivers (FCs) due to the fact that it confronts them with death, as well as physical, psychological, and existential suffering. Meaning of Life Therapy (MLT) is a brief structured psycho-existential intervention aiming to help patients in a meaning-making life review process, promoting end-of-life adaptation. The Life Letter (LL) resulting from MLT is an element that facilitates communication between the patient and their caregivers. The goal of this study was to understand the impact of MLT on the grieving processes of eight FCs and to study their perceptions of the role of the LL on grief through semi-structured interviews. The results of our qualitative analysis indicate that MLT was perceived by the FCs as a positive experience despite the conspiracy of silence being identified as a drawback. The LL was interpreted as a communicational element, promoting emotional closeness with the cancer patients and serving as a valuable tool in the FCs' adaptation to loss. Our research findings show that the needs of FCs, especially after experiencing the loss of their relative, are dynamic and specific. This is why it is urgent to develop interventions that consider the idiosyncrasies of end-of-life cancer patients and their FCs in order to avoid frustrated farewells, lonely deaths, and maladaptive grieving processes. This is the direction in which MLT should evolve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria João Freitas
- Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS-CESPU), 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
| | - Sónia Remondes-Costa
- Department of Education and Psychology, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-622 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Elisa Veiga
- Research Centre for Human Development, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal
| | - Gerly Macedo
- Clinical and Health Psychology Unit, Psychiatry and Mental Health Service, Hospital da Senhora da Oliveira, 4835-044 Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ricardo João Teixeira
- REACH-Mental Health Clinic, 4000-138 Porto, Portugal
- CINEICC (Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention), Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Manuela Leite
- Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS-CESPU), 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
- iHealth4Well-Being-Innovation in Health and Well-Being-Research Unit, Instituto Politécnico de Saúde do Norte, CESPU, 4560-462 Penafiel, Portugal
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5
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Zammit T, Mancini VO, Reid C, Singer J, Staniland L, Breen LJ. Public stigma toward prolonged grief and COVID-19 bereavement: A vignette-based experiment. DEATH STUDIES 2024; 48:118-128. [PMID: 36976583 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2023.2192010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the effects of cause of death and the presence of prolonged grief disorder (PGD) on eliciting public stigma toward the bereaved. Participants (N = 328, 76% female; Mage = 27.55 years) were randomly assigned to read one of four vignettes describing a bereaved man. Each vignette differed by his PGD status (PGD diagnosis or no PGD diagnosis) and his wife's cause of death (COVID-19 or brain hemorrhage). Participants completed public stigma measures assessing negative attributions, desired social distance, and emotional reactions. Bereavement with PGD (versus without PGD) elicited large and significantly stronger responses across all stigma measures. Both causes of death elicited public stigma. There was no interaction between cause of death and PGD on stigma. With increased PGD rates expected during the pandemic, the potential for public stigma and reduced social support for people bereaved via traumatic deaths and people with PGD requires mitigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Zammit
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Vincent O Mancini
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- UWA Medical School, Division of Paediatrics, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
- Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Perth, Western Australia
| | - Carly Reid
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Jonathan Singer
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Lexy Staniland
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Curtin enAble Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Lauren J Breen
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Curtin enAble Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
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6
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Cha H, Thomas PA. A Time of Healing: Can Social Engagement After Bereavement Reduce Trajectories of Depression After the Death of a Child? J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2023; 78:1717-1726. [PMID: 37338825 PMCID: PMC10561884 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbad094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We work from a stress and life-course perspective to examine the mental health of parents who experienced the death of their child. We examine whether mental health eventually returns to pre-bereavement levels and how social engagement after bereavement may shape the recovery process of depressive symptoms. METHODS We analyze discontinuous growth curve models to assess the association between a child's death and trajectories of parents' depressive symptoms from the 1998-2016 Health and Retirement Study. The sample includes 16,182 parents aged 50 years and older. RESULTS Those who transitioned to bereavement experienced an elevation in depressive symptoms and a relatively long recovery time (e.g., 7 years) to their pre-bereavement mental health in our findings. However, when engaging in volunteer work after their loss, depressive symptoms reduce more quickly to their pre-bereavement levels. Volunteering offsets up to 3 years of the negative consequences of child loss. DISCUSSION The death of a child is a traumatic event with extensive health consequences, but research should more fully examine the dynamic nature and potential mitigation of these health consequences over time. Our findings expand the temporal lens to encompass healing processes after bereavement, incorporating the importance of social engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyungmin Cha
- Department of Sociology, Center on Aging and Population Sciences and Population Research Center, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Patricia A Thomas
- Department of Sociology, Center on Aging and the Life Course, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
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7
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Singer J, Daum C, Evans A, Schneider S, Vugrin M, Loggers E. An examination and proposed theoretical model of risk and protective factors for bereavement outcomes for family members of individuals who engaged in medical aid in dying: A systematic review. Palliat Med 2023:2692163231172242. [PMID: 37129287 DOI: 10.1177/02692163231172242] [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] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medical Aid in Dying is an end-of-life option that allows a physician to provide a patient with a prescription to end their life. Though Medical Aid in Dying intends to reduce suffering for a patient, opponents argue Medical Aid in Dying may increase suffering for the family members during bereavement. To better understand the bereavement outcomes for family members/friends following Medical Aid in Dying, an exhaustive review of the risk and protective factors for bereavement outcomes is warranted. AIM This systemic review aimed to identify studies that examined bereavement outcomes of family members of individuals who engage in Medial Aid in Dying, identify risk and protective factors for bereavement outcomes, and propose a theoretical model to enhance conceptual clarity. DESIGN A mixed-method systematic review. DATA SOURCES Ten databases were searched on June 16, 2021 and later conducted two updates (latest April 25, 2022). RESULTS Thirteen articles met inclusion criteria. Risk and protective factors were identified pre-Medical Aid in Dying and risk factors post-Medical Aid in Dying. Few studies compared bereavement outcomes for family members of individuals utilizing Medical Aid in Dying to family members who lost someone to natural loss. CONCLUSIONS This study provides equivocal results about the effects of Medical Aid in Dying on family members following the loss. The theoretical model outlines potential risk and protective factors. This model provides a greater understanding of possible universal risk and protective factors for family members of individuals who engaged in Medical Aid in Dying.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Singer
- Department of Psychological Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Courtney Daum
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Amelia Evans
- Department of Psychological Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Sydnie Schneider
- Department of Psychological Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Margaret Vugrin
- Libraries of the Health Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Elizabeth Loggers
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Division of Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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8
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MacArthur ND, Kirby E, Mowll J. Bereavement affinities: A qualitative study of lived experiences of grief and loss. DEATH STUDIES 2023; 47:836-846. [PMID: 36327234 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2022.2135044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Attending to bereaved peoples' lived experiences offers considerable potential for better understanding how to improve support following loss. In-depth interviews (n = 36) and solicited diaries (n = 23) were conducted with bereaved adults following a death in palliative or residential aged care. A constructivist grounded theory approach guided data analysis, through which three themes were derived: making sense of the lived experience of bereavement; relationships in bereavement; and bereavement over time. The results reveal the nuances within everyday experiences of bereavement, in particular the multiplicity of affinities, present or lacking, in social support and recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan D MacArthur
- Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Emma Kirby
- Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jane Mowll
- School of Social Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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9
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Attwood C, Benkwitz A, Holland M. "We are the forgotten grievers": Bereaved family members' experiences of support and mental ill-health following a road traffic collision. DEATH STUDIES 2022:1-8. [PMID: 36583725 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2022.2160032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Road traffic collisions (RTCs) are a global public health concern; however, research on the impact of bereavement on families remains limited. A critical realist approach was adopted to explore experiences of families suffering bereavement following RTCs, using interviews with 14 participants in the United Kingdom (UK) who have lost a family member. Three key themes were identified: (1) worsening mental health following bereavement, (2) negative impact of an RTC-related bereavement upon family members, (3) limited support following an RTC. Findings highlighted the requirement for appropriate support for bereaved families, and outlined significant flaws within the UK legal system, sentencing, and treatment of families.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Attwood
- Faculty of Arts, Society and Professional Studies, Newman University, Birmingham, UK
| | - A Benkwitz
- Faculty of Arts, Society and Professional Studies, Newman University, Birmingham, UK
| | - M Holland
- Faculty of Arts, Society and Professional Studies, Newman University, Birmingham, UK
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10
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Tonkin K. It IS Who You Know: The Power of Supervisors in Awarding and Administering Bereavement Leave. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2022:302228221129423. [PMID: 36134909 DOI: 10.1177/00302228221129423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Within this study, the researcher explored the effect that supervisors have on the availability and flexibility of bereavement leave for employees who have experienced the death of a loved one. A qualitative phenomenological approach was applied in Zoom interviews of 23 participants who provided detailed feedback on their overall experience of managing personal and professional responsibilities during bereavement based on the ways that formal and informal policies were applied. Barclay and Kang's bereavement at work model guided a series of semi-structured interviews, and questions were based upon Bauer's questionnaire about grief in the workplace. A high number of participants (20/23) noted that their relationship with their supervisor either positively or negatively affected their experience with workplace bereavement policies. Four overall themes were noted: general importance of relationship with supervisor, supervisor flexibility in awarding leave, employee perception of organizational justice, and supervisor control of information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kent Tonkin
- Saint Francis University, Shields School of Business, Loretto, PA, USA
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11
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Sliwak RM, Lee M, Collins MH. Where Are They Now: The Narratives of Children Who Lost a Parent on 9/11. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2022:302228221127824. [PMID: 36137974 DOI: 10.1177/00302228221127824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
There is a paucity of literature examining the experiences of children who lost a parent on 9/11. The primarily quantitative research has not allowed for a deeper understanding of how children who lost a parent on 9/11 make meaning of their experiences, especially in the context of a national tragedy. This study investigates how eight children who were between the ages of 5 and 12 when they lost a parent on 9/11 developed a personal narrative about this loss in the context of the collective narrative about 9/11. Using narrative inquiry, cases demonstrated patterns of narrative development about grief, tragedy, and collective themes of American exceptionalism, patriotism, triumph, and resiliency. These cases highlight de-personalized narratives of grief, tension between the grand narrative provided to them and their personal story of loss, and distance between the reality of their loss and the collective meaning-making of the tragedy. This study extends Bronfenbrenner's (1977) ecological systems theory by highlighting how a lack of bidirectionality between larger social and cultural systems and the individual negatively impacts personal experiences of grief and loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan M Sliwak
- Department of Professional Psychology and Family Therapy, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, USA
| | - Minsun Lee
- Department of Professional Psychology and Family Therapy, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, USA
| | - Michelle Hanna Collins
- Department of Professional Psychology and Family Therapy, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, USA
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12
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Buehler EM, Youngvorst LJ. Online support-seeking in the context of grief: How support-seeking message content and communication channels shape support providers’ impressions of the bereaved. COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2022.107428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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13
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Bruce MJ, Handal PJ. Constructivist Correlates to Anniversary Reactions Across Bereavement and Sexual Violence. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2022:302228221114986. [PMID: 35822585 DOI: 10.1177/00302228221114986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Anniversary reactions are an accepted part of bereavement, but recent research demonstrates that ARs can be seen across many traumatic events. The present study explores how constructivist theories could characterize ARs caused by the death of a loved one or sexual violence. N = 234 women answered questionnaires regarding their posttraumatic adjustment, meaning made of the trauma, trauma centrality, and social validation or invalidation of their trauma. Our data demonstrate that ARs are marked by statistically and clinically significant increases posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. Participants in this study did not endorse significant posttraumatic growth during their AR. The women in the sexual violence group endorsed more social validation and invalidation as well as less meaning made of their trauma compared to the bereavement group. There were no group differences regarding trauma centrality. Results of this study provide empirical support for an understudied yet significant phenomenon and directions of future study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline J Bruce
- Department of Psychology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Paul J Handal
- Department of Psychology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA
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14
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Examining public stigma and expectations of grief following medical aid and dying in the US: A vignette-based experiment. Palliat Support Care 2022. [DOI: 10.1017/s1478951522000852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Objectives
Families bereaved following Medical Aid in Dying (MAID)-related death express concerns about public stigma. As access to MAID expands, research examining MAID is needed, including understanding stigma toward family members. This study examines if stigmatization exists toward bereaved individuals whose family member utilized MAID at differing ages and assess if expectations of grief differ between bereaved individuals whose family member utilized MAID compared to bereaved individuals whose family member died of an illness.
Methods
This study utilized a randomized, between-groups, vignette-based experiment to test the effects of cause of death (MAID vs. illness-related death) and age (28, 38, 70, and 80 years) of the deceased on indicators of public stigma. Participants (N = 428) were recruited from mTURK (Mage = 42.54; SDage = 16.50).
Results
Analyses showed a statistically significant interaction between age and the mode of death (F(7, 400), p = 0.001,
$\eta _{\rm p}^2$
= 0.06) and the main effect for age (F(5, 401), p = 0.004,
$\eta _{\rm p}^2$
= 0.04) on expectations of grief, whereas emotional reactions and wanting social distance were not significant (p > 0.05). Participants expected more maladaptive grief among family members of 28- and 70-year-olds who died of illness compared to 28- or 38-year-olds who utilized MAID [28-year-old (M = 44.12, SD = 12.03) or 70-year-old (M = 44.32, SD = 10.29) illness-related death vs. 28-year-old (M = 39.3, SD = 11.56; p = 0.01) or 38-year-old (M = 38.71, SD = 11.56; p = 0.007) MAID-related death].
Significance of results
Findings suggest that direct stigma does not exist toward family members of individuals engaging in MAID. The American public may expect that family members of young individuals who utilize MAID are accepting of the death and expect them to experience fewer maladaptive grief symptoms. Future research should investigate differences in bereavement outcomes based on age of bereaved caregivers of individuals engaging in MAID.
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15
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Dennis H, Eisma MC, Breen LJ. Public Stigma of Prolonged Grief Disorder: An Experimental Replication and Extension. J Nerv Ment Dis 2022; 210:199-205. [PMID: 34618716 DOI: 10.1097/nmd.0000000000001427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Prolonged grief disorder's (PGD's) recent recognition as a psychiatric diagnosis has elicited concerns about stigmatization. Although prior research demonstrated that PGD elicits public stigma, moderators of this effect are unclear, and the effect requires replication in an English-speaking population. Therefore, we investigated the effects of PGD, sex of the bereaved, and death expectedness on public stigma toward bereaved persons. We randomly assigned 195 Australian adults (77% female; mean age, 35.7 years) to read one of eight vignettes describing a bereaved male or female subject, with or without PGD, after an expected or unexpected death. Participants reported their emotional reactions and negative attributions toward, and desired social distance from, the bereaved person. A person with PGD (vs. without) elicited stronger emotional reactions, negative attributions, and desired social distance. No robust moderator effects emerged. Results validate concerns that PGD causes stigma. Stigmatization may be targeted by information campaigns or psychological treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley Dennis
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Maarten C Eisma
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
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16
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McLean E, Singer J, Laurita E, Kahler J, Levin C, Papa A. Perception of grief responses: Are maladaptive grief responses and the stages of grief considered normal? DEATH STUDIES 2021; 46:1414-1423. [PMID: 34632956 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2021.1983890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Literature indicates laypeople hold strong opinions about how persons should grieve. This study examined how individuals perceive normal grief. Participants across two distinct samples (Study 1: N = 510 via MTurk; Study 2: N = 210 via Qualtrics panels) completed the Perception of Grief Scale and Grief Expectations Questionnaire. Findings indicated participants endorsed maladaptive grief responses as normal relative to other responses to loss. Endorsement of maladaptive grief responses as normal predicted endorsement of grief work beliefs. If social expectations deem maladaptive grief to be normal, as this study suggests, bereaved individuals might implicitly push themselves to grieve maladaptively.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jonathan Singer
- Department of Psychology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Emily Laurita
- Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Julie Kahler
- Health Services Research and Development, Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Crissa Levin
- Department of Psychology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Anthony Papa
- Department of Psychology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
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17
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Abstract
Social deviance refers to actions or behaviours that violate social norms. Since the declassification of homosexuality and development of DSM-III, one of the aims of a definition of mental disorder has been to make explicit the distinction between mental disorder and social deviance. It is well-recognized that psychiatric disorders frequently manifest as violations of social norms, and the validity of the distinction between disorder and deviance has been of great interest to philosophers of psychiatry. This article provides an overview of some of the major conceptual strategies that have been discussed as a means of discriminating between mental disorder and social deviance, and the extent to which these strategies can be said to be philosophically successful. Specifically, we review DSM's definition of mental disorder, notions of dysfunctions (commonsensical, clinical, naturalist), intrinsic and socially constituted distress, disability, 3E perspectives and functional norms, and ethical and political approaches to this question. Current philosophical strategies don't offer a distinct dividing line between disorder and deviance, but they help illuminate the relevant considerations involved. It may be concluded that the distinction between disorder and deviance is not simply discovered but also negotiated between competing values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Awais Aftab
- Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare (Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services), Northfield, OH, USA
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18
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Lim-Soh JW. Social participation in widowhood: Evidence from a 12-year panel. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2021; 77:972-982. [PMID: 33914062 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbab072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Social participation is important to the quality of life of older adults, especially widows. This is the first study to test whether older widows' formal and informal social participation rises or declines using multiple panel observations pre- and post-bereavement. The paper also tests the moderating effects of economic and marital satisfaction, depression, and husband's illness before death on these trends. METHODS Seven waves of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing are used to track changes in four measures of social participation - meeting and contacting a child, meeting friends, and attending a formal group. A comparison group of married individuals, weighted with coarsened exact matching, controls for age and time trends. Mixed model regressions estimate the effects of widowhood over time. RESULTS Social participation shows little change before bereavement and rises significantly after bereavement for all measures. However, frequencies of meeting and contacting a child peak and decline early post-bereavement, while meeting friends and attending a group show delayed but long-lasting effects. Moderators economic and marital satisfaction are positively associated with overall social participation levels, but negatively associated with social participation post-bereavement. DISCUSSION Increased social participation after bereavement underscores the resilience of widows and the social support they receive. However, differences in timing suggest that contact with children is gradually substituted with extra-familial relationships in the long run. The negative moderating roles of economic and marital satisfaction point to a paradox where seemingly well-off individuals may be more vulnerable to widowhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy W Lim-Soh
- Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore
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19
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Breen LJ. Harnessing social support for bereavement now and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. Palliat Care Soc Pract 2021; 15:2632352420988009. [PMID: 34104884 PMCID: PMC8164552 DOI: 10.1177/2632352420988009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren J. Breen
- School of Psychology, Curtin University, GPO Box
U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia
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20
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Tan J, Andriessen K. The Experiences of Grief and Personal Growth in University Students: A Qualitative Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:1899. [PMID: 33669340 PMCID: PMC7920249 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18041899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Experiencing the death of a close person, especially in emerging adults and students, can have profound effects on the bereaved individual's life. As most research in this field has focused on negative effects of a loss, little is known about potential positive effects experienced by bereaved university students. This study investigated the experience of grief and personal growth in a sample of students from The University of Melbourne, Australia. METHODS Semi-structured interviews via Zoom/telephone with bereaved students (n = 14), who were invited to reflect on their loss and any personal growth potentially experienced. Thematic analysis of the data was based on a deductive and inductive approach. RESULTS The analysis identified four themes: (i) sharing of grief as a coping mechanism, (ii) balance between grief reactions and moving forward in life, (iii) lessons learned and personal growth, and (iv) adopting values from the deceased person and continuing bonds. CONCLUSIONS Participants emphasized personal growth regarding self-perception and philosophical views on life. Following the loss, they preferred peer support, and used formal services only when they had a specific need. The findings indicate the importance of social support for bereaved students, and the complimentary role of peer and professional support. Hence, academic institutions should offer supportive services tailored to both students and professionals to help bereaved students.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karl Andriessen
- Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia;
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21
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Does voluntary assisted dying cause public stigma for the bereaved? A vignette-based experiment. Palliat Support Care 2021; 19:558-562. [PMID: 33397540 DOI: 10.1017/s1478951520001352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Studies in countries where assisted dying is legal show that bereaved people express concern over the potential for social disapproval and social stigma because of the manner of death. There are indications that voluntary assisted dying is judged as less acceptable if the deceased is younger. A vignette-based experiment was used to determine whether public stigma (i.e., negative emotional reactions and desired social distance) and expected grief symptoms are higher for conjugally bereaved people through voluntary assisted dying (vs. long-term illness), when the deceased is a young adult (vs. older adult). METHOD A 2 × 2 randomized factorial design was conducted with 164 Australian adults (130 women, 34 men, Mage = 37.69 years). Each participant was randomized online to read one of four vignettes and completed measures of anger, fear, prosocial emotions, desire for social distance, and expectations of grief symptomatology. RESULTS A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted. Death at a young age (28 years) was significantly associated with stronger negative emotional reactions of fear ($\eta _p^2 = 0.04$, P = 0.048) and anger ($\eta _p^2 = 0.06$, P = 0.010). There were no differences in outcomes associated with the mode of death, nor was there an interaction between mode of death and age group. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS Concerns that voluntary assisted dying elicits public stigma appear unfounded. The fact that participants reported significantly higher anger and fear in response to bereaved people experiencing loss at a younger (vs. older) age, irrespective of cause of death, indicates that young people who lose their spouse might benefit from additional support.
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22
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Azad MA, Swinton M, Clarke FJ, Takaoka A, Vanstone M, Woods A, Boyle A, Hoad N, Toledo F, Piticaru J, Cook DJ. Experiences of Bereaved Family Members Receiving Commemorative Paintings: A Qualitative Study. JAMA Netw Open 2020; 3:e2027259. [PMID: 33346843 PMCID: PMC7753900 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.27259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Although family members of patients who die in the intensive care unit commonly experience long-term psychological distress, end-of-life bereavement support programs for such relatives are uncommon. Whether art influences the grief experience of families is largely unexplored. OBJECTIVE To explore the influence of personalized paintings created to honor deceased critically ill patients on family members' bereavement experience. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A qualitative descriptive analysis was conducted of semistructured interviews of grieving relatives who received a painting after the death of their loved one. The deceased patients were from a 21-bed medical-surgical intensive care unit. Eleven families were invited to receive a painting, of whom 1 family declined. A total of 22 family members of 10 patients who died in the intensive care unit were interviewed in the study between July 11, 2017, and May 19, 2019. INTERVENTIONS Patients were enrolled in an end-of-life care program that elicits and implements wishes of patients and their families to bring peace during the dying process. Selected families of 10 decedents were invited to receive a painting to honor their loved one 1 to 10 months after the patient's death. Using details about the patient's life story, the artist created individualized paintings to commemorate each patient. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The experiences of family members receiving a personalized painting and its reported influence on their grieving experience. RESULTS The family members of 10 decedents (mean [SD] age, 60 [14] years; 5 women [50%]; 8 White patients [80%]) were interviewed. The central theme of art to facilitate healing was illustrated through the following domains: the cocreation process, painting narratives, postmortem connections, and legacy. The process of cocreating the paintings with the artist and family members involved reminiscing, storytelling, and creativity. Family members emphasized the role of art to facilitate healing, exemplified through connections with images portrayed that deeply resonated with memories of their loved one. Participants indicated that the paintings validated that the patient was remembered, helped families feel less alone during a time of grief, honored the loved one's life, and enhanced connections between family members and clinicians. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This qualitative study's findings suggest that the creation of personalized paintings commemorating the lives of patients may help foster legacy and postmortem connections with clinicians and may help family members in their healing process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa A. Azad
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marilyn Swinton
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - France J. Clarke
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alyson Takaoka
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Meredith Vanstone
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anne Woods
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine, Department of Medicine, St Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anne Boyle
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine, Department of Medicine, St Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Neala Hoad
- Critical Care Research, St Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Feli Toledo
- Department of Spiritual Care, St Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joshua Piticaru
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Deborah J. Cook
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Critical Care Research, St Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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23
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Stemen SE. "I can't explain it": An examination of social convoys and after death communication narratives. DEATH STUDIES 2020; 46:1631-1640. [PMID: 32975496 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2020.1825296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The hierarchical mapping technique is utilized to study individuals' social convoys (i.e., networks). Though convoys typically exclude deceased persons, the continuing bonds model argues that relationships between surviving and deceased persons can be sustained. After Death Communication (ADC), an experience where the deceased contacts surviving persons, facilitates continuing bonds. This study examines how ADC influences reports of convoys and continuing bonds. Using Labov's narrative framework, ADC narratives from 10 bereaved individuals were analyzed for content and structure. Most participants apologized, indicating their ADC experience was inexplicable. Consequently, reports of convoys and continuing bonds may be influenced by concerns of perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara E Stemen
- Department of Sociology and Gerontology, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, USA
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24
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Gonschor J, Eisma MC, Barke A, Doering BK. Public stigma towards prolonged grief disorder: Does diagnostic labeling matter? PLoS One 2020; 15:e0237021. [PMID: 32915800 PMCID: PMC7485774 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent introduction of prolonged grief disorder (PGD) as a diagnostic category may cause negative social reactions (i.e. public stigma). Vignette experiments demonstrate that persons with both PGD symptoms and a PGD diagnosis elicit more public stigma than persons who experience integrated grief. However, the strength of the influence of the diagnosis itself remains unclear: We aimed to clarify if the diagnostic label PGD produces additional public stigma beyond PGD symptoms. We further compared whether public stigma varies between the label PGD and the label major depressive episode (MDE) (when PGD symptoms are present) and if gender of the bereaved person influences public stigma or moderates the aforementioned effects. Eight-hundred fifty-two participants (77% female; Mage = 32.6 years, SD = 13.3) were randomly assigned to read online one of eight vignettes describing either a bereaved male or female, with PGD symptoms and PGD diagnosis; PGD symptoms and MDE diagnosis; PGD symptoms and no diagnosis, or no PGD symptoms and no diagnosis (i.e., integrated grief). Following the vignettes, participants indicated which negative characteristics they ascribed to the person, their emotional reactions, and preferred social distance from the person. People with PGD symptoms and PGD (or MDE) diagnosis were attributed more negative characteristics, and elicited more negative emotions and a stronger desire for social distance than people with integrated grief. However, public stigma did not differ for people with both PGD symptoms and diagnosis compared to people only experiencing PGD symptoms. Gender of the bereaved only had an influence on desired social distance, which was larger towards men. Helping severely distressed bereaved people (regardless of diagnostic status) cope with negative social reactions may help them adapt to bereavement. Results demonstrate that the experience of severe grief reactions, yet not a diagnostic label per se, causes public stigma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Gonschor
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Maarten C. Eisma
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Antonia Barke
- Clinical and Biological Psychology, Department of Psychology, Catholic University Eichstaett-Ingolstadt, Eichstaett, Germany
| | - Bettina K. Doering
- Clinical and Biological Psychology, Department of Psychology, Catholic University Eichstaett-Ingolstadt, Eichstaett, Germany
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25
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Aoun SM, Cafarella PA, Rumbold B, Thomas G, Hogden A, Jiang L, Gregory S, Kissane DW. Who cares for the bereaved? A national survey of family caregivers of people with motor neurone disease. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2020; 22:12-22. [PMID: 32909457 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2020.1813780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although Motor Neurone Disease (MND) caregivers are most challenged physically and psychologically, there is a paucity of population-based research to investigate the impact of bereavement, unmet needs, range of supports, and their helpfulness as perceived by bereaved MND caregivers. Methods: An anonymous national population-based cross-sectional postal and online survey of bereavement experiences of family caregivers who lost a relative/friend to MND in 2016, 2017, and 2018. Recruitment was through all MND Associations in Australia. Results: 393 valid responses were received (31% response rate). Bereaved caregiver deterioration in physical (31%) and mental health (42%) were common. Approximately 40% did not feel their support needs were met. Perceived insufficiency of support was higher for caregivers at high bereavement risk (63%) and was associated with a significant worsening of their mental and physical health. The majority accessed support from family and friends followed by MND Associations, GPs, and funeral providers. Informal supports were reported to be the most helpful. Sources of professional help were the least used and they were perceived to be the least helpful. Conclusions: This study highlights the need for a new and enhanced approach to MND bereavement care involving a caregiver risk and needs assessment as a basis for a tailored "goodness of fit" support plan. This approach requires continuity of care, more resources, formal plans, and enhanced training for professionals, as well as optimizing community capacity. MND Associations are well-positioned to support affected families before and after bereavement but may require additional training and resources to fulfill this role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samar M Aoun
- Public Health Palliative Care Unit, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.,Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Perth, Australia
| | - Paul A Cafarella
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, Australia.,School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Australia
| | - Bruce Rumbold
- Public Health Palliative Care Unit, Department of Public Health, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Geoff Thomas
- Consumer Advocate Thomas MND Research Group, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Anne Hogden
- Australian Institute of Health Service Management, College of Business and Economics, University of Tasmania, Australia
| | - Leanne Jiang
- Public Health Palliative Care Unit, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.,Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Perth, Australia
| | | | - David W Kissane
- Palliative Medicine Research, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney, Australia.,The Cunningham Centre for Palliative Care Research, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia and.,Cabrini Psycho-Oncology and Supportive Care Research Unit, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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26
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Breen LJ, Kawashima D, Joy K, Cadell S, Roth D, Chow A, Macdonald ME. Grief literacy: A call to action for compassionate communities. DEATH STUDIES 2020; 46:425-433. [PMID: 32189580 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2020.1739780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The compassionate communities movement challenges the notion that death and dying should be housed within clinical and institutional contexts, and works to normalize conversations about death and dying by promoting death literacy and dialogue in public spaces. Community-based practices and conversations about grief remain marginal in this agenda. We aimed to theorize how grief could be better conceptualized and operationalized within the compassionate communities movement. We develop the concept of Grief Literacy and present vignettes to illustrate a grief literate society. Grief literacy augments the concept of death literacy, thereby further enhancing the potential of the compassionate communities approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren J Breen
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | | | - Karima Joy
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Susan Cadell
- Renison University College, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
| | - David Roth
- Pütz-Roth Bestattungen und Trauerbegleitung oHG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Amy Chow
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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27
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The view of the clinician and the scientist on the family experience of sudden epilepsy deaths. Epilepsy Behav 2020; 103:106679. [PMID: 31822397 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.106679] [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: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A sudden epilepsy-associated death is a tragedy for the bereaved, a failure for the clinician and a challenge for a research scientist. Sudden death in epilepsy cannot be truly anticipated or prepared for by the bereaved, or the clinical team. Communications and provision of pastoral care following sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is an important part of an epilepsy service where interaction with the family and specialist services for the bereaved can be rewarding. Sudden death and SUDEP are valid targets for research attention, but families may be less aware of opportunities to assist in life science research or conversely feel coerced at a vulnerable time. We have a responsibility to ensure that the SUDEP risk is minimized and that we maximize the learning potential from each death. Out of such tragedies some good must come, but this will take combined efforts from doctors, families, and the voluntary sector acting in league with scientific and academic funders. In this review, we set out to consider the dual viewpoints of the clinician and the scientist and how they consider the family experience of sudden deaths to provide advice for all parties. "This paper is for the Special Issue: Prevent 21: SUDEP Summit - Time to Listen".
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28
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Kahler J, Papa A, Epstein E, Levin C. Attributions About Bereaved Spouses: Testing the Myths of Coping With Loss. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2019; 84:307-334. [DOI: 10.1177/0030222819890974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Social expectations influence how we cope with loss and how people in our social networks respond to us. Wortman and Silver outlined Western cultural assumptions, or myths, about mourning, thought to influence judgments of one’s grief response. In particular, the two myths hypothesized to affect social judgments about grievers’ adjustment were related to (a) the intensities of the grief response and (b) the duration of the grief response. We assessed if these myths affected the attributions of potential support providers in a convenience sample of 510 Amazon Mechanical Turk community participants. The results indicated preheld expectancies that expressing and processing loss is important to recover from grief was related to attributions about the adjustment of spousally bereaved grievers in vignettes. However, any level of grief symptoms displayed in vignettes was associated with participants, indicating they would discourage expression of grief and distance themselves from the person grieving.
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29
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Matching response to need: What makes social networks fit for providing bereavement support? PLoS One 2019; 14:e0213367. [PMID: 30845193 PMCID: PMC6405096 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to explore the goodness of fit between the bereaved peoples’ needs and the support offered by their social networks; to ascertain whether this support was experienced as helpful or unhelpful by bereaved people; and to explore both the types of social networks that offer effective support and the characteristics of the communities that encourage and nurture such networks. This study was based on qualitative interviews from twenty bereaved people, in Western Australia, interviewed in 2013. A framework analysis of these interviews was undertaken using a deductive approach based on the goodness of fit framework. Much of this support is provided informally in community settings by a range of people already involved in the everyday lives of those recently bereaved; and that support can be helpful or unhelpful depending on its amount, timing, function and structure. Improving the fit between the bereaved person’s needs and the support offered may thus involve identifying and enhancing the caring capacity of existing networks. An important strategy for achieving this is to train community members in mapping and developing these naturally occurring networks. Some such networks will include relationships of long standing, others may be circles of care formed during a period of caring. Peer support bereavement networks develop from these existing networks and may also recruit new members who were not part of the caring circle. The findings endorse social models of bereavement care that fit within a public health approach rather than relying solely on professional care. As exemplified by Compassionate Communities policies and practices, establishing collaboration between community networks and professional services is vital for effective and sustainable bereavement care.
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30
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Tang S, Chow AYM, Breen LJ, Prigerson HG. Can grief be a mental disorder? An online survey on public opinion in mainland China. DEATH STUDIES 2019; 44:152-159. [PMID: 30653390 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2018.1527415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates Chinese people's opinions about the diagnosis of grief and the factors associated with their opinions. Among 1041 participants who completed the online survey, over half (56.5%) agreed that grief could be a mental disorder under certain circumstances, such as harm to self or others, functional impairment, and persistent grief. Primary reasons against the diagnosis were that grief is normal and its intensity decreases over time. A small proportion of opponents also expressed concerns about stigmatization resulting from labeling grief as being pathological. Younger, male, and full-time employed adults tended to support diagnosing grief as a mental disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suqin Tang
- College of Psychology and Sociology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Amy Y M Chow
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lauren J Breen
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Holly G Prigerson
- Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
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