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Omega Jun 2022Those who are bereaved during the current COVID-19 pandemic are subject to restrictions on funeral sizes and practices. We conducted a rapid review synthesising the... (Review)
Review
Those who are bereaved during the current COVID-19 pandemic are subject to restrictions on funeral sizes and practices. We conducted a rapid review synthesising the quantitative and qualitative evidence regarding the effect of funeral practices on bereaved relatives' mental health and bereavement outcomes. Searches of MEDLINE, PsycINFO, KSR Evidence, and COVID-related resources were conducted. 805 records were screened; 17 studies of variable quality were included. Current evidence regarding the effect of funeral practices on bereaved relatives' mental health and bereavement outcomes is inconclusive. Five observational studies found benefits from funeral participation while six did not. However, qualitative research provides additional insight: the benefit of after-death rituals including funerals depends on the ability of the bereaved to shape those rituals and say goodbye in a way which is meaningful for them. Findings highlight the important role of funeral officiants during the pandemic. Research is needed to better understand the experiences and sequalae of grief and bereavement during COVID-19.
Topics: Bereavement; COVID-19; Funeral Rites; Grief; Humans; Mental Health; Pandemics
PubMed: 32640878
DOI: 10.1177/0030222820941296 -
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management Aug 2020The global COVID-19 pandemic is likely to have a major impact on the experience of death, dying, and bereavement. This study aimed to review and synthesize learning from... (Review)
Review
The global COVID-19 pandemic is likely to have a major impact on the experience of death, dying, and bereavement. This study aimed to review and synthesize learning from previous literature focused on the impact on grief and bereavement during other infectious disease outbreaks. We conducted a rapid scoping review according to the principles of the Joanna Briggs Institute and analyzed qualitative data using thematic synthesis. From the 218 identified articles, 6 were included in the analysis. They were four qualitative studies, one observational study, and a systematic review. Studies were conducted in West Africa, Haiti, and Singapore. No research studies have focused on outcomes and support for bereaved people during a pandemic. Studies have tended to focus on survivors who are those who had the illness and recovered, recognizing that some of these individuals will also be bereaved people. Previous pandemics appear to cause multiple losses both directly related to death itself and also in terms of disruption to social norms, rituals, and mourning practices. This affects the ability for an individual to connect with the deceased both before and after the death, potentially increasing the risk of complicated grief. In view of the limited research, specific learning from the current COVID-19 crisis and the impact on the bereaved would be pertinent. Current focus should include innovative ways to promote connection and adapt rituals while maintaining respect. Strong leadership and coordination between different bereavement organisations is essential to providing successful postbereavement support.
Topics: Adult; Bereavement; COVID-19; Coronavirus Infections; Humans; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral
PubMed: 32416233
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.05.012 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2022Bereavement by suicide for people in later life is significantly under-researched. Research on ageing and suicide has yet to address the experiences of those bereaved by...
Bereavement by suicide for people in later life is significantly under-researched. Research on ageing and suicide has yet to address the experiences of those bereaved by suicide and how such a devastating loss affects the ageing experience. : We explored the substantive issues involved in bereavement by suicide and its impact on later life. : This was a co-produced qualitative study. Peer researchers with lived experience conducted in-depth interviews with twenty-four people aged 60-92 years. A phenomenological approach informed the data analysis. Themes described included (1) moral injury and trauma; (2) the rippling effect on wider family and networks; (3) transitions and adaptations of bereaved people and how their 'living experience' impacted on ageing. : It is important to understand how individual experiences of suicide intersect with ageing and the significance of targeted assessment and intervention for those bereaved by suicide in ageing policies and support.
Topics: Aging; Bereavement; Grief; Humans; Qualitative Research; Suicide
PubMed: 35742466
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19127217 -
Omega Dec 2023COVID-19 has devastated the United States (U.S.). One of the more notably impacted areas is the South. Compared to the rest of the U.S., the South is characterized by... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
COVID-19 has devastated the United States (U.S.). One of the more notably impacted areas is the South. Compared to the rest of the U.S., the South is characterized by increased rurality, lowered access to healthcare, older populations, and higher religiosity, all of which might predispose its residents to more detrimental effects of COVID-19, including COVID-related fatalities. As such, this paper provides important considerations for individuals engaging in work with Southern, rural Americans dealing with COVID-related grief and loss.
METHODS
A review of the literature addressing the impact of Southern legislature, rurality, cross-country factors, and faith on COVID-related grief among Southerners was conducted, with applicable considerations expressed.
CONCLUSIONS
Care should be taken by providers working with rural, Southern residents to attend to tangible and intangible losses experienced as a result of COVID-19. These considerations can help inform work with rural Southerners dealing with grief during the pandemic.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Grief; Bereavement
PubMed: 34210176
DOI: 10.1177/00302228211029500 -
International Journal of Environmental... Aug 2022The knowledge on health service use, systematic follow-up, and support for families bereaved by suicide remains scarce. This scoping review includes studies from 2010 to... (Review)
Review
The knowledge on health service use, systematic follow-up, and support for families bereaved by suicide remains scarce. This scoping review includes studies from 2010 to March 2022 that investigate the follow-up and support offered by health services, peer support services, and other resources available (e.g., internet-based resources) for families bereaved by suicide. We followed the scoping review framework provided by the Johanna Briggs Institute and performed a double-blinded screening process using Covidence. Data were extracted by four researchers and a thematic analysis was performed to summarize the results. The PRISMA Extension for Scoping reviews was used for reporting results. Of 2385 studies screened by title, 190 by abstract, and 93 by full-text reading, we included 63 original articles of which 24, 29 and 10 were quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods studies, respectively. The review shows that we have some knowledge about the need for, and experiences with, health services and support resources for immediate family members bereaved by suicide, but a lack of knowledge about their help-seeking behaviour, patient pathways, systematic follow-up, coordination between services, and long-term outcomes. We need more longitudinal observational studies of health service use and patient trajectories for people bereaved by suicide.
Topics: Bereavement; Family; Health Services; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Suicide
PubMed: 36011651
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191610016 -
Death Studies 2021To reduce response burden for bereaved children and adolescents, we provide data on the development and psychometric testing of a short form of the Hogan Sibling...
To reduce response burden for bereaved children and adolescents, we provide data on the development and psychometric testing of a short form of the Hogan Sibling Inventory of Bereavement (HSIB). The resulting measure of grief symptoms and personal growth was renamed the Hogan Inventory of Bereavement - Short Form (Children and Adolescents; HIB-SF-CA). Psychometric properties were evaluated in a sample of 86 bereaved siblings. Instrument development and validation research design methods were used. Evidence of strong reliability and convergent validity indicates that the 21-item HIB-SF-CA is comparable to the original 46-item HSIB in measuring grief and personal growth in this population.
Topics: Adolescent; Bereavement; Child; Grief; Humans; Psychometrics; Reproducibility of Results; Siblings
PubMed: 31274055
DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2019.1627034 -
BMJ Open Apr 2020Internet-based and mobile-based interventions (IMIs) provide an innovative and efficient self-management tool for mental health problems. This systematic review aims to...
INTRODUCTION
Internet-based and mobile-based interventions (IMIs) provide an innovative and efficient self-management tool for mental health problems. This systematic review aims to summarise and critically evaluate studies addressing the effectiveness and feasibility of IMIs for normal and complicated grief in bereaved adults.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
The databases MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Embase and Web of Science and Google Scholar (for 'grey' literature) will be systematically searched for feasibility studies or randomised controlled trials of IMIs for bereaved adults who were experiencing normal/complicated grief. Data will be extracted and evaluated independently by two reviewers from studies eligible for inclusion. Quality of evidence will be assessed, and results will be synthesised qualitatively and pooled meta-analytically, if sufficient outcome data are available. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses standards and Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology will be used.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
No primary data will be collected; thus, ethical approval is not required. The results will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed publication and conference presentations.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42019131428.
Topics: Adult; Bereavement; Feasibility Studies; Grief; Humans; Internet; Mental Health; Mobile Applications; Psychotherapy, Psychodynamic; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Research Design; Self-Management; Systematic Reviews as Topic
PubMed: 32327480
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-036034 -
BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) May 1998
Review
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Bereavement; Caregivers; Female; Grief; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Male; Sex Factors
PubMed: 9582150
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.316.7143.1521 -
BMC Palliative Care Feb 2023Assessing and measuring the experience and quality of care provided is central to the improvement of care delivery of all healthcare systems. This paper reports on the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Assessing and measuring the experience and quality of care provided is central to the improvement of care delivery of all healthcare systems. This paper reports on the development of a survey instrument to capture the experiences of care at end of life from the perspective of bereaved relatives in the Republic of Ireland.
METHODS
A multi-method, multi-stakeholder, sequential approach was adopted for this study. Items for inclusion in the survey instrument bank were identified through (1) a feasibility study and scoping literature review, (2) expert panel programme board review, (3) focus groups and (4) gap analysis. The following steps were undertaken to prioritise the items for inclusion in the final survey instrument: (1) a Delphi study (2) technical expert panel review (3) cognitive interviews with bereaved relatives and an (4) expert panel programme board review.
RESULTS
Following an iterative process with key stakeholders, a survey instrument was developed with sections focusing on the provision of care at home, in the last nursing home / residential care facility, hospice and hospital, as well as care experience in the last 2 days of life, the relative's experiences of care and support, the circumstances of care surrounding death and demographic information. In total, a bank of 123 questions were prioritised to be included in the National End of Life Survey instrument.
CONCLUSION
The survey will provide a standardised national approach to capturing the experience of care of those who have died, from the perspective of bereaved relatives in the Republic of Ireland. This will allow health service providers, policy makers and regulators to gather important insights into the experiences of care at end of life and will help fulfil the requirement of healthcare services to ensure they are providing high-quality care.
Topics: Humans; Bereavement; Death; Family; Grief; Hospices; Surveys and Questionnaires; Terminal Care
PubMed: 36823584
DOI: 10.1186/s12904-023-01135-2 -
Midwifery Jul 2021Appropriate perinatal bereavement care can benefit bereaved parents and reduce further distress. Poor training can impact healthcare professionals (HCPs) at a personal...
Appropriate perinatal bereavement care can benefit bereaved parents and reduce further distress. Poor training can impact healthcare professionals (HCPs) at a personal and professional-level. HCPs have reported poor preparation to care for bereaved parents. High-quality perinatal bereavement care training is essential. This study describes the TEARDROP workshop for perinatal bereavement care training, an evaluation of its pilot and first workshop, and the teaching methods applied. The TEARDROP workshop was created in line with the Irish National Bereavement Standards, and based on the SCORPIO model of teaching, offering a participant-centred teaching. Both pilot session and workshop were held in a tertiary maternity hospital. Paper-based anonymous questionnaires were used to evaluate these sessions. Overall, participants were highly satisfied with the workshop. The level of information and quality of teaching in the pilot and workshop scored very high. Most participants stated not being adequately prepared to communicate or care for bereaved parents. The pre-workshop evaluation showed that only 8% of participants received prior training on discussing post-mortems with bereaved parents. Participants (100%) would recommend the workshop be available nationally and would recommend it to a colleague. To our knowledge this is one of few participant-centred perinatal bereavement care training for maternity staff in Ireland. The workshop has been well received and results highlighted the relevance and importance of the TEARDROP programme for HCPs. Adequate training for all maternity staff is essential and TEARDROP has the potential to impact on the quality of bereavement care provided in Irish maternity units.
Topics: Bereavement; Child; Delivery of Health Care; Female; Grief; Hospice Care; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Parents; Perinatal Care; Pregnancy
PubMed: 33743511
DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2021.102978