J Korean Acad Nurs.  2018 Feb;48(1):59-69. 10.4040/jkan.2018.48.1.59.

Influential Factors of Complicated Grief of Bereaved Spouses from Cancer Patient

Affiliations
  • 1College of Nursing, Taegu Science University, Daegu, Korea.
  • 2College of Nursing · The Research Institute of Nursing Science, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea. sh235@knu.ac.kr

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate variables and construct paths that affect complicated grief.
METHODS
Participants in this cross-sectional, descriptive study were 164 bereaved spouses of cancer patients at least 12 months before the death. Data were collected from October 2016 to February 2017 using self-report structured questionnaires and were analyzed using IBM SPSS 21.0 and AMOS 20.0.
RESULTS
The variables affecting complicated grief of bereaved spouses of cancer patients were the quality of end-of-life care (γ=.15, p < .001), preparedness for death (β=−.06, p=.005), and coping with bereavement (β=−.24, p < .001), whereas the quality of death and dying did not show any effects. Preparedness for death had multiple mediating effects in the relationship between the quality of end-of-life care and complicated grief (z=−2.20, p=.028), and in the relationship between the quality of end-of-life care and coping with bereavement (z=2.11, p=.035). Coping with bereavement had a mediating effect on the relationship between preparedness for death and complicated grief (z=−2.39, p=.017).
CONCLUSION
This study revealed that preparedness for death and coping with bereavement play a prominent role in complicated grief. Therefore, it is important to help in preparing for death and enhancing coping with bereavement of spouses providing end-of-life care to cancer patients. In addition, investigating cultural differences in the relationship between the quality of end-of-life care and complicated grief is recommended.

Keyword

Grief; Bereavement; Terminal Care; Palliative care

MeSH Terms

Bereavement
Grief*
Humans
Negotiating
Palliative Care
Spouses*
Terminal Care

Figure

  • Figure 1. Hypothetical model and standardized estimation of the modified model.


Reference

References

1. Statistics Korea. Cancer death statistics outcome [Internet]. Seoul: Statistics Korea;c2016. [cited 2018 Jan 12]. Available from:. http://www.index.go.kr/potal/main/EachDtlPageDetail.do?idx_cd=2770.
2. Nanni MG, Biancosino B, Grassi L. Pre-loss symptoms related to risk of complicated grief in caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2014; 160:87–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2013.12.023.
Article
3. Kwon JS, Kim JJ, Nam GG, Park WM, Shin MS, You BH, et al. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders-5. Seoul: Hakjisa;2015. p. 870–873.
4. Newson RS, Boelen PA, Hek K, Hofman A, Tiemeier H. The prevalence and characteristics of complicated grief in older adults. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2011; 132(1-2):231–238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2011.02.021.
Article
5. Guldin MB, Jensen AB, Zachariae R, Vedsted P. Healthcare utilization of bereaved relatives of patients who died from cancer. A national population-based study. Psychooncology. 2013; 22(5):1152–1158. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.3120.
Article
6. Buckley T, Sunari D, Marshall A, Bartrop R, McKinley S, To-fler G. Physiological correlates of bereavement and the impact of bereavement interventions. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. 2012; 14(2):129–139.
7. Miyajima K, Fujisawa D, Yoshimura K, Ito M, Nakajima S, Shirahase J, et al. Association between quality of end-of-life care and possible complicated grief among bereaved family members. Journal of Palliative Medicine. 2014; 17(9):1025–1031. https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2013.0552.
Article
8. Kim Y, Carver CS, Spiegel D, Mitchell HR, Cannady RS. Role of family caregivers’ self-perceived preparedness for the death of the cancer patient in long-term adjustment to bereavement. Psychooncology. 2017; 26(4):484–492. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.4042.
Article
9. Stammel N, Heeke C, Bockers E, Chhim S, Taing S, Wagner B, et al. Prolonged grief disorder three decades post loss in survivors of the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2013; 144(1-2):87–93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2012.05.063.
Article
10. Li QP, Mak YW, Loke AY. Spouses’ experience of caregiving for cancer patients: A literature review. International Nursing Review. 2013; 60(2):178–187. https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.12000.
Article
11. Shinjo T, Morita T, Hirai K, Miyashita M, Sato K, Tsuneto S, et al. Care for imminently dying cancer patients: Family members’ experiences and recommendations. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2010; 28(1):142–148. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2009.23.2793.
Article
12. Tsai WI, Prigerson HG, Li CY, Chou WC, Kuo SC, Tang ST. Longitudinal changes and predictors of prolonged grief for bereaved family caregivers over the first 2 years after the terminally ill cancer patient’s death. Palliative Medicine. 2016; 30(5):495–503. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269216315603261.
13. Allen JY, Haley WE, Small BJ, Schonwetter RS, McMillan SC. Bereavement among hospice caregivers of cancer patients one year following loss: Predictors of grief, complicated grief, and symptoms of depression. Journal of Palliative Medicine. 2013; 16(7):745–751. https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2012.0450.
Article
14. Chang SJ. Psychological well-being of widowed in later life: Based on the dual process model of coping with bereavement. Journal of the Korean Gerontological Society. 2015; 35(3):589–608.
15. Stroebe M, Schut H, Stroebe W. Health outcomes of bereavement. Lancet. 2007; 370(9603):1960–1973. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61816-9.
Article
16. Shin DW, Choi JE, Miyashita M, Choi JY, Kang J, Baik YJ, et al. Measuring comprehensive outcomes in palliative care: Validation of the Korean version of the good death inventory. Journal of Pain Symptom Management. 2011; 42(4):632–642. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2010.12.012.
17. Schulz R, Boerner K, Klinger J, Rosen J. Preparedness for death and adjustment to bereavement among caregivers of recently placed nursing home residents. Journal of Palliative Medicine. 2015; 18(2):127–133. https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2014.0309.
Article
18. Gallagher R, Krawczyk M. Family members’ perceptions of end-of-life care across diverse locations of care. BMC Palliative Care. 2013; 12(1):25. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-684X-12-25.
Article
19. Miyashita M, Morita T, Sato K, Hirai K, Shima Y, Uchitomi Y. Good death inventory: A measure for evaluating good death from the bereaved family member’s perspective. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 2008; 35(5):486–498. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2007.07.009.
Article
20. McCarthy MC, Clarke NE, Ting CL, Conroy R, Anderson VA, Heath JA. Prevalence and predictors of parental grief and depression after the death of a child from cancer. Journal of Pal- liative Medicine. 2010; 13(11):1321–1326. https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2010.0037.
Article
21. Hebert RS, Prigerson HG, Schulz R, Arnold RM. Preparing care-givers for the death of a loved one: A theoretical framework and suggestions for future research. Journal of Palliative Medicine. 2006; 9(5):1164–1171. https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2006.9.1164.
Article
22. Choi JY, Chang YJ, Song HY, Jho HJ, Lee MK. Factors that affect quality of dying and death in terminal cancer patients on inpatient palliative care units: Perspectives of bereaved family caregivers. Journal of Pain Symptom Management. 2013; 45(4):735–745. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2012.04.010.
Article
23. Sohn ES. A study on religious participation, coping resources and depression among the bereaved elderly. Korean Journal of Gerontological Social Welfare. 2008; 41:183–204.
24. Anderson JC, Gerbing DW. Structural equation modeling in practice: A review and recommended two-step approach. Psychological Bulletin. 1988; 103(3):411–423.
Article
25. Li J, Prigerson HG. Assessment and associated features of prolonged grief disorder among Chinese bereaved individuals. Comprehensive Psychiatry. 2016; 66:9–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2015.12.001.
Article
26. Prigerson HG, Maciejewski PK, Reynolds CF 3rd, Bierhals AJ, Newsom JT, Fasiczka A, et al. Inventory of complicated grief: A scale to measure maladaptive symptoms of loss. Psychiatry Research. 1995; 59(1-2):65–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-1781(95)02757-2.
Article
27. Caserta MS, Lund DA. Toward the development of an inventory of daily widowed life (IDWL): Guided by the dual process model of coping with bereavement. Death Studies. 2007; 31(6):505–535. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481180701356761.
Article
28. Morita T, Hirai K, Sakaguchi Y, Maeyama E, Tsuneto S, Shima Y. Quality Assurance Committee, Japanese Association of Hospice and Palliative Care Units. Measuring the quality of structure and process in end-of-life care from the bereaved family perspective. Journal of Pain Symptom Management. 2004; 27(6):492–501. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2003.10.014.
29. Zimet GD, Dahlem NW, Zimet SG, Farley GK. The multidimensional scale of perceived social support. Journal of Personality Assessment. 1988; 52(1):30–41. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa5201_2.
Article
30. Hauksdóttir A, Steineck G, Fürst CJ, Valdimarsdóttir U. Long-term harm of low preparedness for a wife’s death from cancer: a population-based study of widowers 4-5 years after the loss. American Journal of Epidemiology. 2010; 172(4):389–396. https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwq147.
31. Ferrell BR, Coyle N. Textbook of palliative nursing. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press;2006. p. 532–538.
32. Kang HC. Discussions on the suitable interpretation of model fit indices and the strategies to fit model in structural equa- tion modeling. Journal of the Korean Data Analysis Society. 2013; 15(2):653–668.
33. Malkinson R. Cognitive-behavioral grief therapy: The ABC model of rational-emotion behavior therapy. Psychological Topics. 2010; 19(2):289–305.
34. McHorney CA, Ware JE Jr, Raczek AE. The MOS 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36): II. Psychometric and clinical tests of validity in measuring physical and mental health constructs. Medical Care. 1993; 31(3):247–263. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005650-199303000-00006.
35. Jho HJ, Choi JY, Kwak KS, Chang YJ, Ahn EM, Park EJ, et al. Prevalence and associated factors of anxiety and depressive symptoms among bereaved family members of cancer patients in Korea: A nation-wide cross-sectional study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2016; 95(22):e3716. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000003716.
36. Song HD. Concept of death on funeral rite in contemporary Korea. Studies in Religion. 2006; 43:139–166.
Full Text Links
  • JKAN
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr