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Miller-Lewis LR, Lewis TW, Tieman J, Rawlings D, Parker D, Sanderson CR. Words describing feelings about death: A comparison of sentiment for self and others and changes over time. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0242848. [PMID: 33406081 PMCID: PMC7787376 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding public attitudes towards death is needed to inform health policies to foster community death awareness and preparedness. Linguistic sentiment analysis of how people describe their feelings about death can add to knowledge gained from traditional self-reports. This study provided the first description of emotive attitudes expressed towards death utilising textual sentiment analysis for the dimensions of valence, arousal and dominance. A linguistic lexicon of sentiment norms was applied to activities conducted in an online course for the general-public designed to generate discussion about death. We analysed the sentiment of words people chose to describe feelings about death, for themselves, for perceptions of the feelings of ‘others’, and for longitudinal changes over the time-period of exposure to a course about death (n = 1491). The results demonstrated that sadness pervades affective responses to death, and that inevitability, peace, and fear were also frequent reactions. However, words chosen to represent perceptions of others’ feelings towards death suggested that participants perceived others as feeling more negative about death than they do themselves. Analysis of valence, arousal and dominance dimensions of sentiment pre-to-post course participation demonstrated that participants chose significantly happier (more positive) valence words, less arousing (calmer) words, and more dominant (in-control) words to express their feelings about death by the course end. This suggests that the course may have been helpful in participants becoming more emotionally accepting in their feelings and attitude towards death. Furthermore, the change over time appeared greater for younger participants, who showed more increase in the dominance (power/control) and pleasantness (valence) in words chosen at course completion. Sentiment analysis of words to describe death usefully extended our understanding of community death attitudes and emotions. Future application of sentiment analysis to other related areas of health policy interest such as attitudes towards Advance Care Planning and palliative care may prove fruitful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren R. Miller-Lewis
- Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying, Palliative and Supportive Services, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Department of Psychology and Public Health, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity Australia, Adelaide Campus, Wayville, South Australia, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Trent W. Lewis
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jennifer Tieman
- Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying, Palliative and Supportive Services, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Deb Rawlings
- Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying, Palliative and Supportive Services, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Deborah Parker
- Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Christine R. Sanderson
- Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
- Palliative Medicine, Calvary Health Care Kogarah, Kogarah, New South Wales, Australia
- Territory Palliative Care–Central Australia, Alice Springs Hospital, The Gap, Northern Territory, Australia
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Kaplow JB, Wardecker BM, Layne CM, Kross E, Burnside A, Edelstein RS, Prossin AR. Out of the Mouths of Babes: Links Between Linguistic Structure of Loss Narratives and Psychosocial Functioning in Parentally Bereaved Children. J Trauma Stress 2018; 31:342-351. [PMID: 29870081 PMCID: PMC6026046 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
This study examined links between the language bereaved children use to describe the death of their caregiver and children's psychological/behavioral functioning and coping strategies. Participants included 44 children (54.5% male) aged 7 to 12 (M = 9.05) years who were bereaved by the death of a caregiver. Children were assessed via self- and caregiver-report measures and an in-person interview regarding the loss of their caregiver. Children's loss narratives gathered through in-person interviews were transcribed and subjected to textual analysis. Linguistic categories included pronouns and verb tense. Drawing from linguistic and self-distancing theories, we hypothesized that children's use of language reflecting self-distancing (third-person pronouns and past tense) or social connectedness (first-person plural pronouns) would be negatively associated with psychological/behavioral distress and avoidant coping. Similarly, we expected that children's use of self-focused language (first-person singular pronouns and present tense) would be positively associated with psychological/behavioral distress and avoidant coping. As hypothesized, preliminary findings suggest that children who employed more self-distancing language and used more social connectedness words reported less avoidant coping, rs = .40-.42. Also as hypothesized, children who employed more self-focused language had higher levels of self-reported posttraumatic stress symptoms, r = .54, and avoidant coping, r = .54, and higher parent-reported psychological/behavioral distress, r = .43. Implications for theory-building, risk screening, and directions for future research with bereaved youth are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie B Kaplow
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Britney M Wardecker
- Center for Healthy Aging, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Christopher M Layne
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ethan Kross
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Amanda Burnside
- Department of Psychology, Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Robin S Edelstein
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Alan R Prossin
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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Ellington L, Clayton MF, Reblin M, Donaldson G, Latimer S. Communication among cancer patients, caregivers, and hospice nurses: Content, process and change over time. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2018; 101:414-421. [PMID: 28964559 PMCID: PMC5857410 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2017.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Revised: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE First, to describe communication of home hospice nurse visits to cancer patient-caregiver dyads. Second, to assess change in communication related to domains of care over the course of visits. METHODS Multi-site prospective observational longitudinal study of audio-recorded home hospice visits (N=537 visits; 101 patient-caregiver dyads; 58 nurses). Communication was coded using the Roter Interaction Analysis System to describe content and process. Conversation representing three care domains (physical, psychosocial/daily life, and emotional) was calculated from RIAS categories across speakers and analyzed to assess change in communication over time. RESULTS On average, nurses spoke 54% of total utterances, caregivers 29%, and patients 17%. For all participants, the predominant conversational focus was on physical care. Linear mixed effects models indicated that combined participant emotional talk showed a small systematic decrease over time; however, the results for all domains indicated variability unexplained by time or speaker effects. CONCLUSIONS Home hospice conversations are predominantly focused on physical care. Systematic change in communication versus responsiveness to the dynamic effects of patient death and family response over time are discussed. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Communication strategies already in use by hospice nurses could be leveraged and expanded upon to better facilitate family competence and confidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee Ellington
- College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA
| | | | - Maija Reblin
- Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, USA.
| | - Gary Donaldson
- College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA
| | - Seth Latimer
- College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA
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Wardecker BM, Kaplow JB, Layne CM, Edelstein RS. Caregivers' positive emotional expression and children's psychological functioning after parental loss. JOURNAL OF CHILD AND FAMILY STUDIES 2017; 26:3490-3501. [PMID: 29170615 PMCID: PMC5695886 DOI: 10.1007/s10826-017-0835-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The death of a loved one, particularly a parent, has been identified as not only the most common, but also the most distressing form of adversity youth may experience in their lifetime. Surviving caregivers' communication with their children may play a critical role in shaping bereaved children's psychological functioning. However, few studies have examined the specific content (e.g., word usage) of caregivers' verbal communication as a predictor of psychological functioning in bereaved youth. In a sample of 39 parentally-bereaved children and their surviving caregivers, we investigated whether the frequency of caregivers' use of positive emotion words (e.g., "love", "happy", "hope") during a reminiscing task about the deceased was associated with children's psychological functioning and coping. In a cross-sectional analysis, we specifically examined whether these associations were moderated by the amount of time passed since children lost their parents. The Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count Program (LIWC) was used to code and evaluate the percentage of positive emotion words caregivers used during the discussion. When caregivers used more positive emotion words, children were less likely to experience depression, anxiety, and avoidant coping. Those associations were present for children who had experienced parental loss at least 105 days prior to the study. Our findings have implications for how caregivers can support their children and help to alleviate psychological distress in the aftermath of parental loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britney M Wardecker
- Center for Healthy Aging, Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, 428 Biobehavioral Health Building, University Park, PA 16802;
| | - Julie B Kaplow
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Science Center, 1941 East Rd., Houston, TX 77054;
| | - Christopher M Layne
- National Center for Child Traumatic Stress, 11150 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064;
| | - Robin S Edelstein
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, 530 Church St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104;
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Carreño Moreno S, Chaparro Díaz L, López Rangel R. Encontrar sentido para continuar viviendo el reto al perder un hijo por cáncer infantil: revisión integrativa. PERSONA Y BIOÉTICA 2017. [DOI: 10.5294/pebi.2017.21.1.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
La experiencia de perder un hijo por cáncer representa para los padres una carga emocional de alto impacto individual, familiar y social que no finaliza con la muerte. Esta revisión integrativa tuvo como objetivo identificar aspectos clave en la experiencia de perder un hijo como consecuencia del cáncer infantil. Los resultados mostraron un patrón (búsqueda de sentido) que rodea seis momentos del proceso de duelo, que pueden ser elementos de intervención para acompañar el proceso de afrontamiento de los padres. Se concluye que este patrón es un fenómeno importante para el desarrollo del área de cuidado paliativo al final de la vida y posterior.
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Lichtenthal WG, Sweeney CR, Roberts KE, Corner GW, Donovan LA, Prigerson HG, Wiener L. Bereavement Follow-Up After the Death of a Child as a Standard of Care in Pediatric Oncology. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015; 62 Suppl 5:S834-69. [PMID: 26700929 PMCID: PMC4692196 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.25700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
After a child's death to cancer, families commonly want continued connection with the healthcare team that cared for their child, yet bereavement follow-up is often sporadic. A comprehensive literature search found that many bereaved parents experience poor psychological outcomes during bereavement and that parents want follow-up and benefit from continued connection with their child's healthcare providers. Evidence suggests that the standard of care should consist of at least one meaningful contact between the healthcare team and bereaved parents to identify those at risk for negative psychosocial sequelae and to provide resources for bereavement support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy G. Lichtenthal
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Corinne R. Sweeney
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychology, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, NJ
| | - Kailey E. Roberts
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Geoffrey W. Corner
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Leigh A. Donovan
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Holly G. Prigerson
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lori Wiener
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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