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Clarkson G, Sheikh NS, Johnson LA. Grieving the Loss of a Child and the Use of Online Social Support: An Exploratory Survey Study. J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv 2024; 62:47-55. [PMID: 38451119 DOI: 10.3928/02793695-20240227-02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To describe social media online grief supports, accessing behaviors, psychosocial variables, and feelings of support among individuals grieving the loss of a child aged <18 years. METHOD This online survey study recruited 26 adults grieving the loss of a child using social media. Dependent variables included feelings of support and frequency of access. Independent variables included sleep disturbance, cognitive function, depression, anxiety, and self-efficacy to manage emotions (SEMA). Data were collected from May to September 2018. RESULTS Participants' T scores were higher in level of sleep disturbance (mean = 59.4, SD = 6.1), depression (mean = 62.1, SD = 6.1), and anxiety (mean = 62.8, SD = 7.9), and lower in cognitive function (mean = 37.4, SD = 7.3) and SEMA (mean = 39.3, SD = 5.7). SEMA showed a positive correlation with feeling emotionally supported (p = 0.034). Participants who were accessing online grief supports more frequently reported higher levels of emotional support (F = 9.31, p = 0.006). CONCLUSION Current findings will help guide the design of online grief support interventions for individuals grieving the loss of a child. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 62(8), 47-55.].
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Zhang M, Fan C, Ma L, Wang H, Zu Z, Yang L, Chen F, Wei W, Li X. Assessing the effectiveness of internet-based interventions for mental health outcomes: an umbrella review. Gen Psychiatr 2024; 37:e101355. [PMID: 39040128 PMCID: PMC11261690 DOI: 10.1136/gpsych-2023-101355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Internet-based interventions (IBIs) for behavioural health have been prevalent for over two decades, and a growing proportion of individuals with mental health concerns prefer these emerging digital alternatives. However, the effectiveness and acceptability of IBIs for various mental health disorders continue to be subject to scholarly debate. We performed an umbrella review of meta-analyses (MAs), conducting literature searches in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane and Ovid Medline from their inception to 17 January 2023. A total of 87 MAs, reporting on 1683 randomised controlled trials and 295 589 patients, were included. The results indicated that IBIs had a moderate effect on anxiety disorder (standardised mean difference (SMD)=0.53, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.62) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (SMD=0.63, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.89). In contrast, the efficacy on depression (SMD=0.45, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.52), addiction (SMD=0.23, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.31), suicidal ideation (SMD=0.23, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.30), stress (SMD=0.41, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.48) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (SMD=0.47, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.73) was relatively small. However, no significant effects were observed for personality disorders (SMD=0.07, 95% CI -0.13 to 0.26). Our findings suggest a significant association between IBIs and improved mental health outcomes, with particular effectiveness noted in treating anxiety disorders and PTSD. However, it is noteworthy that the effectiveness of IBIs was impacted by high dropout rates during treatment. Furthermore, our results indicated that guided IBIs proved to be more effective than unguided ones, playing a positive role in reducing dropout rates and enhancing patient adherence rates. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023417366.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Zhang
- Research Centre for Translational Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of Medical Psychology, School of Mental Health and Psychological Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Chuan Fan
- Department of Psychiatry, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Lijun Ma
- Department of Medical Psychology, School of Mental Health and Psychological Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Huixue Wang
- Department of Medical Psychology, School of Mental Health and Psychological Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Zhenyue Zu
- Department of Medical Psychology, School of Mental Health and Psychological Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Linxi Yang
- Department of Medical Psychology, School of Mental Health and Psychological Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Fenglan Chen
- Department of Medical Psychology, School of Mental Health and Psychological Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Wenzhuo Wei
- Department of Medical Psychology, School of Mental Health and Psychological Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiaoming Li
- Research Centre for Translational Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of Medical Psychology, School of Mental Health and Psychological Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
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Allan-Wiseman S, Yazdani N, Modanloo S. Virtual Bereavement Support Program in a Children's Hospice Care Center During COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond. JOURNAL OF SOCIAL WORK IN END-OF-LIFE & PALLIATIVE CARE 2024; 20:225-234. [PMID: 38950017 DOI: 10.1080/15524256.2024.2364588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, a pediatric hospice in Ottawa, Ontario, implemented a Virtual Bereavement Group Program, necessitating a reorganization of care delivery during the global crisis. This paper outlines the program and assesses the feedback of families who participated in the program following the death of a child or grandchild. Participants expressed high levels of satisfaction, indicating its potential as an effective approach for pediatric bereavement care beyond the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Allan-Wiseman
- Roger Neilson House & Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), Ottawa, ON, USA
| | - Nahal Yazdani
- Roger Neilson House & Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), Ottawa, ON, USA
| | - Shokoufeh Modanloo
- Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University, London, ON, USA
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Batista J, Alves D, Pires N, Silva JR, Mendes I, Magalhães C, Rosa C, Oliveira JT, Gonçalves MM, Neimeyer RA. The meaning in loss protocol: A clinical trial of online grief therapy. DEATH STUDIES 2024:1-13. [PMID: 38940635 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2024.2370633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
For a minority of the bereaved, the loss of a significant other can trigger an overwhelming emotional reaction and impaired functioning across life domains, known as prolonged grief disorder (PGD). Hence, ongoing efforts have been made to refine existing treatments to increase their efficacy and to accommodate the idiosyncrasies of grief reactions. This study presents the results of an open clinical trial of the feasibility and effectiveness of the Meaning in Loss (MIL) protocol in an online format. The brief intervention of 12 to 16 sessions combines constructivist and narrative strategies to explore and work through impediments to meaning reconstruction in loss. The sample included 25 participants diagnosed with PGD who were treated by six therapists. Baseline and post-therapy comparisons showed a significant improvement in all clinical measures (grief symptomatology, depression and general distress) and an increase of meaning making regarding the loss. Meaning making was found to be a prospective mediator of symptomatic improvement in grief across the course of therapy. These findings suggest the effectiveness of the MIL protocol in decreasing grief specific and associated symptomatology and argue for the relevance of further controlled evaluations of its efficacy. Moreover, results confirm previous findings that meaning making is a relevant factor in the evolution of grief reactions, including in the context of psychotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Batista
- School of Psychology, University of Minho, Portugal
| | | | - Nuno Pires
- Higher Institute of Social Work of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Lusíada Research Center on Social Work and Social Intervention (CLISSIS), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joana R Silva
- Portucalense Institute for Human Development (INPP), Department of Psychology and Education, Universidade Portucalense, Porto, Portugal
| | - Inês Mendes
- School of Psychology, University of Minho, Portugal
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Hao F, Qiu F, Liang Z, Li P. Psychotherapies for prolonged grief disorder in adults: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Asian J Psychiatr 2024; 99:104133. [PMID: 38970900 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2024.104133] [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: 02/25/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prolonged grief disorder (PGD), a condition characterized by severe, persistent, and disabling grief, is newly included in ICD-11 and DSM-5-TR. Psychotherapies are among the most recommended treatments for PGD, but which should be considered as first-line treatment needs to be clarified. The purpose of this systematic review and network meta-analysis was to synthesize the available evidence to compare five outcomes of different psychotherapies on PGD in adults and identify the optimal psychotherapy modality to inform clinical decision-making for the treatment of PGD. METHOD A comprehensive search was conducted in 7 databases from inception until March 20th, 2023. In the frequentist framework, pairwise and network meta-analyses using random-effects models were performed for outcomes with 95 % confidence interval (CI). RESULTS There were 2962 records found and 55 studies (1,0330 participants) assessing 11 different psychological interventions were included. Compared with the waiting list, behavioral therapy (SMD=-1.05; 95 %CI=-1.71, -0.38), third-wave cognitive behavior therapy (SMD=-1.00; 95 %CI =-1.41, -0.58), family therapy (SMD=-0.87; 95 %CI=-1.59, -0.16), psychodynamic therapy (SMD=-0.88; 95 %CI=-1.67, -0.10) and cognitive therapy (SMD=-0.84; 95 %CI=-1.57, -0.12) were statistically effective in reducing grief symptom. Only cognitive behavior therapy (OR =0.48; 95 %CI = 0.27, 0.85) was more acceptable than waiting list. In terms of secondary outcome, third-wave CBT can statistically significantly reduce depression (SMD= -0.60; 95 %CI =- 0.84, -0.36), PTSD (SMD=-0.99; 95 %CI =- 1.62, -0.36) and anxiety (SMD= -1.44; 95 %CI =-2.63, -0.25) respectively. CONCLUSIONS Most psychological interventions are effective, but only cognitive behavior therapy has the highest acceptability. Third-wave CBT with higher efficacy rates may be more beneficial for reducing secondary outcomes. To provide more robust evidence, high-quality trials should be conducted in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengwei Hao
- School of Physical Education and Sports Exercise, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Fanghui Qiu
- School of Physical Education, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Zhide Liang
- School of Physical Education, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Pengda Li
- School of Physical Education and Sports Exercise, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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Kramuschke M, Reinhardt J, Dölemeyer R, Kaiser J, Kersting A. The change of working alliance and the association to treatment outcome in an internet-based therapy after pregnancy loss. BMC Psychol 2024; 12:254. [PMID: 38715033 PMCID: PMC11077727 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01751-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Working alliance is a prominent non-specific factor for treatment outcomes in face-to-face and internet-based interventions. The association between working alliance and therapy outcome appears to be time- and disorder-specific, but less is known about the change of working alliance during the intervention and the impact of working alliance in grief-specific interventions. The present study examines the association between the change of working alliance and treatment outcomes in an internet-based intervention for parents who experienced pregnancy loss. METHODS 228 participants received a grief intervention based on cognitive behavioral therapy with asynchronous text-based therapist feedback. Prolonged grief and related symptoms of traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and general psychopathology were assessed with validated instruments before and after the intervention. The change of working alliance was assessed using the short version of the Working Alliance Inventory at mid-treatment (session 4) and the end of the treatment (session 10). RESULTS Data for N = 146 persons was analyzed. Working alliance in total and all subscales increased significantly from sessions 4 to 10. This change in working alliance correlated significantly with a reduction in prolonged grief. Changes in subscales of working alliance also correlated with symptoms of depression and general psychopathology. Regression analysis showed that a change in working alliance predicted a reduction in prolonged grief but did not predict improvements in other grief-related symptoms. CONCLUSION The results examine the change of working alliance during an internet-based intervention and the association with treatment outcome. A small impact of change in working alliance on treatment outcome of prolonged grief was confirmed, but not on related symptoms. Further research is needed to assess moderators of the alliance-outcome association to improve internet-based interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION Not applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Kramuschke
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig, Semmelweisstraße 10, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jana Reinhardt
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig, Semmelweisstraße 10, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Ruth Dölemeyer
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig, Semmelweisstraße 10, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Julia Kaiser
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig, Semmelweisstraße 10, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anette Kersting
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig, Semmelweisstraße 10, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
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Levesque DA, Lunardini MM, Adams SN, Payne EL, Neumann BG. Grief Coach: Feasibility and acceptability of a text message program for bereavement support among grievers in the United Kingdom. DEATH STUDIES 2024:1-12. [PMID: 38573792 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2024.2334080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
To address gaps in bereavement services in the UK, a national charity offered free access to Grief Coach, a 12-month text message-based grief support program. To assess the feasibility and acceptability of the approach, this study examined program reach, retention, and user satisfaction. Over 4000 grievers enrolled in the program over 13.5 months; 6- and 12-month retention rates were 87.8% and 83.2%. Among individuals responding to a satisfaction survey (response rate = 55.9%), 94.8% rated the program as moderately or very helpful and 95.4% said it contributed to their sense of being supported in their grief. Common themes emerging from a qualitative analysis of the written comments were how the program helped with coping with the pain of grief and user appreciation of the program. Grief Coach may be a promising component of high-quality grief support to meet the needs of grieving people in the UK.
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Tang S, Peng W, Qian X, Chen Y. Healing grief - an online self-help intervention programme for bereaved Chinese with prolonged grief: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2024; 15:2323422. [PMID: 38507226 PMCID: PMC10956920 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2024.2323422] [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] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: In China, mental health services do not currently meet the needs of bereaved people with symptoms of prolonged grief disorder (PGD). Internet-based grief interventions may help fill this gap, but such programmes have not yet been developed or evaluated in China. The proposed study aims to investigate the effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility of an online self-help intervention programme named Healing Grief for bereaved Chinese with prolonged grief, and to explore the psychological mechanisms of potential improvements.Methods: We designed a two-arm randomised controlled trial. At least 128 participants will be randomly assigned to either an Internet-based intervention group or a waitlist-control group. The Internet-based intervention will be developed based on the dual process model, integrating techniques of psychoeducation, behavioural activation, cognitive reappraisal, and meaning reconstruction, and will be delivered via expressive writing. The intervention comprises six modules, with two sessions in each module, and requires participants to complete two sessions per week and complete the intervention in 6 weeks. The primary outcomes include effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility. The effectiveness will be assessed by measures of prolonged grief, posttraumatic stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Acceptability and feasibility will be evaluated using survey and interview on user experience characteristics. Secondary outcomes include moderators and mediators, such as dual process coping, grief rumination, mindfulness, and continuing bond, to explore the psychological mechanisms of potential improvement. Assessments will take place at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up.Conclusion: The proposed study will determine the effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility of the newly developed online self-help intervention for bereaved Chinese with prolonged grief and clarify how the intervention helps with symptom improvements. Such an intervention may play an important role in easing the imbalance between the delivery and receipt of bereavement psychological services in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suqin Tang
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China
- The Shenzhen Humanities & Social Sciences Key Research Bases of the Center for Mental Health, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenjie Peng
- Department of Sociology, School of Government, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xueying Qian
- Department of Sociology, School of Government, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yulin Chen
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China
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Eklund R, Eisma MC, Boelen PA, Arnberg FK, Sveen J. The self-help app My Grief: Bereaved parents' experiences of helpfulness, satisfaction and usability. Internet Interv 2024; 35:100712. [PMID: 38298472 PMCID: PMC10828051 DOI: 10.1016/j.invent.2024.100712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Mobile health (mHealth) apps have been shown to be useful to monitor and reduce mental health problems across a variety of stress-related and affective disorders, yet research on the value of apps for prolonged grief is scarce. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to elucidate bereaved parents' experiences of using the self-help app My Grief with a focus on helpfulness, satisfaction, and usability. Data were derived from closed-ended and open-ended questions administered at the 3-month post-assessment of the intervention group (n = 67) within a randomized controlled trial testing the effects of access to the My Grief app. The sample consisted of 88 % women, with a mean age of 47 years, who predominantly lost their child to cancer (41 %), on average 4.8 years ago. Participating parents indicated that the My Grief app helped them increase their knowledge about prolonged grief and track their grief over time. The app was experienced as easy to navigate and around half of the parents used the app more than one day a week. Almost all parents were satisfied with the app and would recommend it to other parents in similar situations. The findings add to the knowledge base justifying mHealth within support systems for bereaved adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakel Eklund
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala University Hospital, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Maarten C. Eisma
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Paul A. Boelen
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, Diemen, the Netherlands
| | - Filip K. Arnberg
- National Centre for Disaster Psychiatry, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala University Hospital, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Josefin Sveen
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala University Hospital, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
- Centre for Crisis Psychology, University of Bergen, Postbox 7800, 5020 Bergen, Norway
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van Velsen L, Schokking L, Siderakis E, Knospe GM, Brandl L, Mooser B, Madörin S, Jacinto S, Gouveia A, Brodbeck J. Development of an online service for coping with spousal loss by means of human-centered and stakeholder-inclusive design: the case of LEAVES. DEATH STUDIES 2024; 48:187-196. [PMID: 37102731 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2023.2203680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
To support older mourners after the loss of their partner, LEAVES, an online self-help service that delivers the LIVIA spousal bereavement intervention, was developed. It integrates an embodied conversational agent and an initial risk assessment. Based on an iterative, human-centered, and stakeholder inclusive approach, interviews with older mourners and focus groups with stakeholders were conducted to understand their perspective on grief and on using LEAVES. Subsequently, the resulting technology and service model were evaluated by means of interviews, focus groups, and an online survey. While digital literacy remains a challenge, LEAVES shows promise of being supportive to the targeted end-users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lex van Velsen
- eHealth group, Roessingh Research and Development, Enschede, Netherlands
| | - Lotte Schokking
- National Foundation for the Elderly, Amersfoort, Netherlands
| | - Eva Siderakis
- National Foundation for the Elderly, Amersfoort, Netherlands
| | | | - Lena Brandl
- eHealth group, Roessingh Research and Development, Enschede, Netherlands
- Department of Human Media Interaction, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
| | - Bettina Mooser
- Department for Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Madörin
- School of Social Work, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Olten, Switzerland
| | - Sofia Jacinto
- Department for Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- School of Social Work, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Olten, Switzerland
- Iscte-Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, CIS-Iscte, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Afonso Gouveia
- Psychiatric Department at The Health Unit of Baixo Alentejo, Beja, Portugal
| | - Jeannette Brodbeck
- Department for Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- School of Social Work, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Olten, Switzerland
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11
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Hajek A, Gyasi RM, Kretzler B, Riedel-Heller SG, König HH. Determinants of psychosocial factors amongst the oldest old: Longitudinal evidence based on the representative "survey on quality of life and subjective well-being of the very old in North Rhine-Westphalia". Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2023; 38:e6031. [PMID: 38038646 DOI: 10.1002/gps.6031] [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] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES There are few studies investigating the determinants of psychosocial outcomes using data exclusively from the oldest old; and even fewer that use longitudinal data. Thus, our aim was to explore the determinants of psychosocial factors (in terms of life satisfaction, loneliness, and depressive symptoms) amongst the oldest old (also stratified by sex) based on representative, longitudinal data from Germany. METHODS/DESIGN Data from "Survey on quality of life and subjective well-being of the very old in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW80+)" were used. This study includes community-dwelling and institutionalized individuals aged 80 years and above (n = 1760 observations in the analytical sample) located in North Rhine-Westphalia (the most populous state in Germany). The mean age was 86.6 years (SD: 4.3 years). Established instruments were used to quantify life satisfaction, loneliness, and depressive symptoms. Linear FE regressions were used in this study to mitigate the challenge of unobserved heterogeneity. Sex-stratified regressions were also conducted. RESULTS Regressions showed that the loss of a spouse was significantly associated with worsening psychosocial factors (in terms of increases in depressive symptoms and loneliness). Furthermore, regressions revealed that increases in functional impairment were significantly associated with poorer psychosocial outcomes. CONCLUSIONS This longitudinal study enhanced our understanding of the factors contributing to poorer psychosocial outcomes among the oldest old. Efforts to avoid or postpone functional impairment may contribute to more favorable psychosocial outcomes. Moreover, our current study underlines the importance of spousal relationships for psychosocial outcomes in the oldest age group.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Hajek
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Razak M Gyasi
- African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
- National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, Australia
| | - Benedikt Kretzler
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Steffi G Riedel-Heller
- Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hans-Helmut König
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, Hamburg, Germany
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12
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Atashi V, Hashemi M, Haghighat S, Sadegh R, Sami R, Bahadori M. Mobile Phone App-Based or Face-to-Face Pulmonary Rehabilitation in COVID-19 Survivors. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF NURSING AND MIDWIFERY RESEARCH 2023; 28:699-706. [PMID: 38205421 PMCID: PMC10775877 DOI: 10.4103/ijnmr.ijnmr_337_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Background Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) is recommended as a standard, effective, and important treatment for COVID-19 survivors who remain symptomatic after the acute phase. Therefore, we aimed to compare the effect of mobile phone-based PR application with face-to-face PR on the quality of life, anxiety, depression, and daily life activities of COVID-19 survivors. Materials and Methods A quasi-experimental was conducted on 65 COVID-19 survivors during 2022. Convenient sampling was done based on the inclusion criteria. The intervention group (n = 31) received PR through a mobile phone application, and the control group (n = 34) received face-to-face PR. Data were collected before and after the intervention in both groups using a demographic information questionnaire, SF-12, the hospital anxiety and depression scale, and Barthel scale. For all tests, a maximum error of 5% was considered. Results The two studied groups had no statistically significant difference with respect to all the investigated variables at baseline (p > 0.05). After the intervention, the mean anxiety and depression score of the patients in the control group was significantly lower than the intervention group (t = -3.46, f = 63, p = 0.01). After our intervention, there was no statistically significant difference in the mean quality of life and daily life activity scores between the two groups (t = -0.68, f = 63, p > 0.05). Conclusions The application of PR does not show a statistically significant difference in terms of improving the quality of life and daily activities compared with the face-to-face method; we suggest that the PR application be used as a cost-effective method when face-to-face PR is not possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vajihe Atashi
- Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Adult Health Nursing Department, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Marzieh Hashemi
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Shila Haghighat
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Raheleh Sadegh
- Department of Community and Prevention Medicine, Medical Faculty, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Ramin Sami
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mobina Bahadori
- Adult Health Nursing Department, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Qom University of Medical Science, Qom, Iran
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Li J, Li Y, Wang Y, Jishi W, Fang J. What we know about grief intervention: a bibliometric analysis. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1152660. [PMID: 37608997 PMCID: PMC10442158 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1152660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Grief is a natural and individualized response to different losses, but if grief persists or becomes pathological, professional interventions are required. Grief and corresponding interventions have received increasing attention, as the related concepts have been incorporated into the DSM-5 and ICD-11. Therefore, we conducted a bibliometric analysis to explore the developments in the field of grief intervention research. Methods Articles on grief interventions were systematically searched and screened from the Web of Science Core Collection. The retrieved data were analyzed and visualized using VOSviewer and Bibliometrix software for journals, authors, institutions, countries, references, and keywords. Results A total of 9,754 articles were included. The number of articles on grief interventions has increased significantly each year since 1990. Death Studies was the journal that published the most articles in this field. We identified 25,140 authors contributed to this research area and these authors were from 123 countries and 6,630 institutions. Boelen PA secured the first position in article production, Columbia University emerged as the most productive affiliation and the United States was the foremost leading in grief intervention research. The prevalent keywords utilized in this field comprised bereavement, grief, death, depression, and palliative care. Conclusion The quantity of publications regarding grief interventions is increasing. Although most prior studies have focused on mortality, grief, and health, emerging themes such as COVID-19, grief among workers, and disfranchised grief have drawn increasing attention in recent years. Future studies may focus on investigating the complexities and challenges of grief, including its underlying mechanisms and impact on mental well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Li
- West China Hospital/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of Neonatology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Nursing, West China Second University Hospital/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yali Wang
- West China Hospital/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Cardiology, West China Hospital/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wuga Jishi
- West China Hospital/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jinbo Fang
- West China Hospital/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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14
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Kobak K, Shear MK, Skritskaya NA, Bloom C, Bottex G. A Web-Based Therapist Training Tutorial on Prolonged Grief Disorder Therapy: Pre-Post Assessment Study. JMIR MEDICAL EDUCATION 2023; 9:e44246. [PMID: 36972105 PMCID: PMC10131787 DOI: 10.2196/44246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) is a newly recognized mental disorder characterized by pervasive intense grief that persists longer than cultural or social expectations and interferes with functioning. The COVID-19 epidemic has resulted in increased rates of PGD, and few clinicians feel confident in treating this condition. PGD therapy (PGDT) is a simple, short-term, and evidence-based treatment developed in tandem with the validation of the PGD diagnosis. To facilitate the dissemination of PGDT training, we developed a web-based therapist tutorial that includes didactic training on PGDT concepts and principles as well as web-based multimedia patient scenarios and examples of clinical implementation of PGDT. OBJECTIVE We aimed to evaluate user satisfaction with the tutorial and whether the tutorial increased trainees' knowledge of PGDT principles and procedures. Moreover, we included a small number of pilot questions to evaluate the PGDT-related clinical skills. METHODS This study evaluated tutorial learning using a pre- and poststudy design. Participants were recruited from professional organization mailing lists, announcements to graduates of the Columbia School of Social Work, and through word of mouth. After signing consent, participants completed a brief demographic survey, a 55-item multiple-choice prestudy test on the concepts and principles of PGD and PGDT covered in the tutorial, and a 4-item pilot web-based prestudy test to gauge PGD clinical implementation skills. The link to the course content was then activated, and participants were given 8 weeks to complete the 11-module tutorial containing information, web-based exercises, simulated patient and video examples, and self-tests. RESULTS Overall, 406 clinicians signed consent, and 236 (58.1%) started the tutorial. Of these, 83.1% (196/236) completed all 11 modules. Trainee scores on our PDGT assessment improved substantially from pretraining to the postmodule assessment, with the total number of correct answers increasing from a mean of 29 (SD 5.5; 52.7% correct) to 36.7 (SD 5.2; 66.7% correct; t195=18.93; P<.001). In addition, the trainee's implementation scores on 4 clinical vignettes increased from 2.6 (SD 0.7) correct out of 4 to 3.1 (SD 0.4) out of 4 (t188=7.02; P<.001). Effect sizes (Cohen d) were 1.44 (95% CI 1.23-1.65) for PDGT assessment and 1.06 (95% CI 0.84-1.29) for implementation. Trainees found the tutorial interesting, enjoyable, clearly presented, and useful for professional development. They endorsed a mean score of 3.7 (SD 0.47) on a 1 to 4 scale of agreement with recommending the course to others and feeling satisfied with the tutorial, and a mean of 3.3 (SD 0.57) with feeling able to apply the skills with clients. CONCLUSIONS This pilot study provides support for the usefulness of this web-based training for teaching clinicians how to administer PGDT. The addition of patient scenarios for clinical implementation strategies holds promise for increasing the effectiveness of PGDT training and other evidence-based treatments. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05121792; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05121792.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Kobak
- Center for Telepsychology, Madison, WI, United States
| | - M Katherine Shear
- Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Colleen Bloom
- Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, NY, United States
| | - Gaelle Bottex
- Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, NY, United States
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15
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Reblin M, Wong A, Arnoldy F, Pratt S, Dewoolkar A, Gramling R, Rizzo DM. The StoryListening Project: Feasibility and Acceptability of a Remotely Delivered Intervention to Alleviate Grief during the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Palliat Med 2023; 26:327-333. [PMID: 36067079 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2022.0261] [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: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The events surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic have created heightened challenges to coping with loss and grief for family and friends of deceased individuals, as well as clinicians who experience loss of their patients. There is an urgent need for remotely delivered interventions to support those experiencing grief, particularly due to growing numbers of bereaved individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: To determine the feasibility and acceptability of the brief, remotely delivered StoryListening storytelling intervention for individuals experiencing grief during the COVID pandemic. Setting/Subjects: A single-arm pilot study was conducted in the United States. Participants included adult English-speaking family members, friends, or clinicians of individuals who died during the COVID-19 pandemic. All participants engaged in a televideo StoryListening session with a trained StoryListening doula. Measurements: Participants completed a brief follow-up telephone interview two weeks after the StoryListening session. We describe enrollment and retention data to assess feasibility and conducted a deductive thematic analysis of the follow-up interview data to assess acceptability. Results: Sixteen clinicians and 48 friends/family members enrolled in the study (n = 64; 75% enrollment), 62 completed a StoryListening session; 60 completed the follow-up interview. Participants reported that the intervention was useful and offered a valuable opportunity to process their grief experience. Conclusions: The StoryListening intervention is feasible and acceptable for friends/family members and clinicians who have experienced grief during COVID. Our intervention may offer an accessible first-line option to address the increasing wave of bereavement-related distress and clinician burnout in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maija Reblin
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Ann Wong
- College of Arts and Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA.,Honors College, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Francesca Arnoldy
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Susanna Pratt
- Office of Clinical Trials Research, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Advik Dewoolkar
- Department of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, and University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA.,Honors College, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Robert Gramling
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Donna M Rizzo
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
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16
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Brodbeck J, Jacinto S, Gouveia A, Mendonça N, Madörin S, Brandl L, Schokking L, Rodrigues AM, Gonçalves J, Mooser B, Marques MM, Isaac J, Nogueira V, Matos Pires A, van Velsen L. A Web-Based Self-help Intervention for Coping With the Loss of a Partner: Protocol for Randomized Controlled Trials in 3 Countries. JMIR Res Protoc 2022; 11:e37827. [DOI: 10.2196/37827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
The death of a partner is a critical life event in later life, which requires grief work as well as the development of a new perspective for the future. Cognitive behavioral web-based self-help interventions for coping with prolonged grief have established their efficacy in decreasing symptoms of grief, depression, and loneliness. However, no study has tested the efficacy for reducing grief after losses occurring less than 6 months ago and the role of self-tailoring of the content.
Objective
This study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy and acceptance of a web-based self-help intervention to support the grief process of older adults who have lost their partner. It will compare the outcomes, adherence, and working alliance in a standardized format with those in a self-tailored delivery format and investigate the effects of age, time since loss, and severity of grief at baseline as predictors. Focus groups to understand user experience and a cost-effectiveness analysis will complement the study.
Methods
The study includes 3 different randomized control trials. The trial in Switzerland comprises a waitlist control group and 2 active arms consisting of 2 delivery formats, standardized and self-tailored. In the Netherlands and in Portugal, the trials follow a 2-arm design that will be, respectively, complemented with focus groups on technology acceptance and cost-effectiveness analysis. The main target group will consist of adults aged >60 years from the general population in Switzerland (n≥85), the Netherlands (n≥40), and Portugal (n≥80) who lost their partner and seek help for coping with grief symptoms, psychological distress, and adaptation problems in daily life. The trials will test the intervention’s clinical efficacy for reducing grief (primary outcome) and depression symptoms and loneliness (secondary outcomes) after the intervention. Measurements will take place at baseline (week 0), after the intervention (week 10), and at follow-up (week 20).
Results
The trials started in March 2022 and are expected to end in December 2022 or when the needed sample size is achieved. The first results are expected by January 2023.
Conclusions
The trials will provide insights into the efficacy and acceptance of a web-based self-help intervention among older adults who have recently lost a partner. Results will extend the knowledge on the role of self-tailoring, working alliance, and satisfaction in the effects of the intervention. Finally, the study will suggest adaptations to improve the acceptance of web-based self-help interventions for older mourners and explore the cost-effectiveness of this intervention. Limitations include a self-selective sample and the lack of cross-cultural comparisons.
Trial Registration
Switzerland: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05280041; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05280041; Portugal: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05156346; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05156346
International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)
PRR1-10.2196/37827
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17
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Loughnan SA, Boyle FM, Ellwood D, Crocker S, Lancaster A, Astell C, Dean J, Horey D, Callander E, Jackson C, Shand A, Flenady V. Living with Loss: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial evaluating an internet-based perinatal bereavement program for parents following stillbirth and neonatal death. Trials 2022; 23:464. [PMID: 35668502 PMCID: PMC9167910 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-06363-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stillbirth and neonatal death are devastating pregnancy outcomes with long-lasting psychosocial consequences for parents and families, and wide-ranging economic impacts on health systems and society. It is essential that parents and families have access to appropriate support, yet services are often limited. Internet-based programs may provide another option of psychosocial support for parents following the death of a baby. We aim to evaluate the efficacy and acceptability of a self-guided internet-based perinatal bereavement support program "Living with Loss" (LWL) in reducing psychological distress and improving the wellbeing of parents following stillbirth or neonatal death. METHODS This trial is a two-arm parallel group randomized controlled trial comparing the intervention arm (LWL) with a care as usual control arm (CAU). We anticipate recruiting 150 women and men across Australia who have experienced a stillbirth or neonatal death in the past 2 years. Participants randomized to the LWL group will receive the six-module internet-based program over 8 weeks including automated email notifications and reminders. Baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up assessments will be conducted to assess primary and secondary outcomes for both arms. The primary outcome will be the change in Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) scores from baseline to 3-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes include perinatal grief, anxiety, depression, quality of life, program satisfaction and acceptability, and cost-effectiveness. Analysis will use intention-to-treat linear mixed models to examine psychological distress symptom scores at 3-month follow-up. Subgroup analyses by severity of symptoms at baseline will be undertaken. DISCUSSION The LWL program aims to provide an evidence-based accessible and flexible support option for bereaved parents following stillbirth or neonatal death. This may be particularly useful for parents and healthcare professionals residing in rural regions where services and supports are limited. This RCT seeks to provide evidence of the efficacy, acceptability, and cost-effectiveness of the LWL program and contribute to our understanding of the role digital services may play in addressing the gap in the availability of specific bereavement support resources for parents following the death of a baby, particularly for men. TRIAL REGISTRATION Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12621000631808 . Registered prospectively on 27 May 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siobhan A Loughnan
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth, Mater Research Institute-University of Queensland, Raymond Terrace, Level 3 Aubigny Place, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| | - Frances M Boyle
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth, Mater Research Institute-University of Queensland, Raymond Terrace, Level 3 Aubigny Place, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland, 80 Meiers Rd, Indooroopilly, QLD, Australia
| | - David Ellwood
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth, Mater Research Institute-University of Queensland, Raymond Terrace, Level 3 Aubigny Place, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,School of Medicine, Griffith University, Parklands Drive, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.,Gold Coast University Hospital, 1 Hospital Drive, Southport, QLD, Australia
| | - Sara Crocker
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth, Mater Research Institute-University of Queensland, Raymond Terrace, Level 3 Aubigny Place, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Ann Lancaster
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth, Mater Research Institute-University of Queensland, Raymond Terrace, Level 3 Aubigny Place, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Chrissie Astell
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth, Mater Research Institute-University of Queensland, Raymond Terrace, Level 3 Aubigny Place, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Julie Dean
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth, Mater Research Institute-University of Queensland, Raymond Terrace, Level 3 Aubigny Place, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland, 80 Meiers Rd, Indooroopilly, QLD, Australia
| | - Dell Horey
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth, Mater Research Institute-University of Queensland, Raymond Terrace, Level 3 Aubigny Place, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,La Trobe University, Plenty Rd &, Kingsbury Dr, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Emily Callander
- Monash University, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Antonia Shand
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Vicki Flenady
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth, Mater Research Institute-University of Queensland, Raymond Terrace, Level 3 Aubigny Place, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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18
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Debrot A, Kheyar M, Efinger L, Berthoud L, Pomini V. Supporting People having Lost a Close Person by Bereavement or Separation: Study Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Two French-Language Internet Interventions (Preprint). JMIR Res Protoc 2022; 11:e39026. [PMID: 35737454 PMCID: PMC9264124 DOI: 10.2196/39026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Internet-based interventions (IBIs) are as efficient as face-to-face psychotherapy for a variety of mental health disorders, including complicated grief. Most evidence stems from guided IBIs. However, recent research indicates that the benefit of guidance is lower in more interactive IBIs. As such, providing guidance only to people requiring it (guidance on demand) appears a cost-effective solution. This is particularly important to develop given the recent rise in grief symptoms in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper presents the protocol of a randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy and adherence rate of 2 IBIs for grief-related symptoms after the loss a close one following death or romantic separation, using a guidance on demand framework. LIVIA 2.0 was developed based on theoretical and empirical findings on grief processes and IBIs, and it will be compared to LIVIA 1 that has already demonstrated its efficacy. Objective Our main hypotheses are that LIVIA 1 (control condition) and LIVIA 2.0 (experimental condition) increase participants’ well-being and decrease their distress at posttest and at follow-up, that LIVIA 2.0 is more efficient than LIVIA 1 for all outcomes, and that LIVIA 2.0 has less dropouts than LIVIA 1. Methods Outcomes will be assessed at pretest, posttest (12 weeks later), and follow-up (24 weeks later). We will recruit 234 participants through a variety of means, including social media and contacts with the press. Primary outcomes are grief symptoms, depressive symptoms, and eudemonic well-being. Secondary outcomes are anxiety symptoms, grief coping strategies, aspects related to self-identity reorganization, and program satisfaction. LIVIA 2.0 participants will additionally undergo a weekly mood and grief symptom monitoring, allowing us to explore the short-term efficacy of the sessions. Results The creation and development of the content of LIVIA 2.0 was completed during the first phase of the project. Participant recruitment will begin in May 2022 and will last until January 2023. Conclusions This study will emphasize the relevance of the innovations included in LIVIA 2.0 regarding the efficacy and dropout rate of IBIs for grief symptoms and will allow investigations on how these changes impact the demand for guidance. In the current postpandemic times, developing and assessing IBIs targeting grief symptoms are particularly critical given the rise in grief-related symptoms. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov NCT05219760; https://tinyurl.com/3dzztjts International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/39026
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Affiliation(s)
- Anik Debrot
- Cognitive and Affective Regulation Laboratory, Institute of Psychology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Maya Kheyar
- Cognitive and Affective Regulation Laboratory, Institute of Psychology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Liliane Efinger
- Cognitive and Affective Regulation Laboratory, Institute of Psychology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Laurent Berthoud
- Cognitive and Affective Regulation Laboratory, Institute of Psychology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Valentino Pomini
- Cognitive and Affective Regulation Laboratory, Institute of Psychology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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