This study was aimed at developing and piloting a school-based intervention on severe illness-induced bereavement through a project focused on spreading knowledge of palliative care among high school students (phases 0-II Medical Research Council Framework). The intervention entailed the screening of a topic-related movie and a classroom meeting. Eight classes from 2 high schools participated, and a before–after evaluation was used to assess intervention feasibility and impact. Valid questionnaires, including 2 open-ended questions focusing on bereavement and strategies for coping with loss, were filled in by 89% (before) and 84% (after) of the 159 students. In the after evaluation, content analysis on the “strategies” question showed that answers concerning closeness and sharing were reported more frequently. Positive feedback was collected as regards the overall experience.
BaxterSGallagherR. Public education. In: BrueraE. (eds) Textbook of palliative care. Hodder Arnold; 2006:153–160.
3.
CampbellMFitzpatrickRHainesA. Framework for design and evaluation of complex interventions to improve health. BMJ. 2000;321(7262):694–696.
4.
HigginsonIJVivatBSilberE. Study protocol: delayed intervention randomised controlled trial within the medical research council (MRC) framework to assess the effectiveness of a new palliative care service. BMC Palliat Care. 2006;5(2):7.
5.
CampbellNCMurrayEDarbyshireJ. Designing and evaluating complex interventions to improve health care. BMJ. 2007;334(7591):455–459.
6.
CraigPDieppePMacintyreSMichieSNazarethIPetticrewM. Developing and evaluating complex interventions: the new medical research council guidance. BMJ. 2008;29;337:a1655. doi: 10.1136/bmj.a1655.
7.
SampsonELThuné-BoyleIKukkastenvehmasR. Palliative care in advanced dementia; a mixed methods approach for the development of a complex intervention. BMC Palliat Care. 2008;7:8.
8.
ShiellAHawePGoldL. Complex interventions or complex systems? implications for health economic evaluation. BMJ. 2008;7;336(7656):1281–1283.
9.
EdgarLVLynnVHoward-HamiltonM. Noncrisis death education in the elementary school. Elementary Sch Guidance Counselling. 1994;29(1):38–46.
10.
WeeksDJohnsonC. A second decade of high school death education. Death Stud. 1992;16(3):269–279.
11.
NaiermanN. Reaching out to grieving students. Educ Leadership. 1997;55(2):62–65.
12.
HollandJ. Supporting schools with loss: ‘Lost of Words’ in Hull. Br J Special Educ. 2003;30(2):76–78.
13.
AspinallSY. Educating children to cope with death: a preventive model. Psychol Sch. 1996;33(4):341–349.
14.
HigginsS. Death education in the primary school. Int J Child Spirituality. 1999;4(1):77–90.
15.
JacksonMColwellJ. Talking to children about death. Mortality. 2001;6(3):321–325.
16.
ReidJ. School management and eco-systemic support for bereaved children and their teachers. Int J Child Spirituality. 2002;7(2):193–207.
17.
HollandJ. How school can support children who experience loss and death. Br J Guidance Counselling. 2008;36(4):411–424.
18.
LowtonKHigginsonIJ. Managing bereavement in the classroom: a conspiracy of silence?Death Stud. 2003;27(8):717–741.
19.
McgovernMBarryMM. Death education: knowledge, attitudes, and perspectives of Irish parents and teachers. Death Stud. 2000;24(4):325–333.
20.
CastelloALavezziMRepettiSTagliaferriLVoltaF. PADì – Parole Discrete- Come è possibile parlare di dolore, sofferenza e cure palliative ai bambini e agli adolescenti. Rivista Italiana di Cure Palliat. 2005;2:57–62.
21.
TestoniITranquilliRSalghettiMMariniLLegrenziA. E' possibile educare alla morte? L’educazione alla morte come momento di incontro psico-socio-culturale tra scuola, famiglia e territorio. Web site. http://www.gruppoeventi.it. Accessed May 31, 2013.
22.
FornasierP.Prendersi cura della vita. Perdite e lutti come opportunità di crescita per l’età scolastica (relazione a convegno). Web site. http://www.gruppoeventi.it. Accessed May 31, 2013.
23.
CastelliPManaresiFMarianecciA.Lavorare in classe con un evento traumatico. Web site.http://www.gruppoeventi.it. Accessed May31, 2013.
24.
PoglianiICastellanP. (2009) Vivi- Amo la vita! Project work Gruppo “Death Education” Master “Death Studies & the end of life” Università degli Studi di Padova. Web site. http://www.endoflife.it. Accessed May 31, 2013.
25.
Associazione Alfio Privitera (2011) Come parlare di dolore con i bambini e prendersi cura della vita. Web site. http://www.cisvolt.it. Accessed May 31, 2013.
26.
Assistenza Domiciliare Gratuita “Alberto Rizzotti”. Web site. http://www.advar.it. Accessed May 31, 2013.
27.
HallerDMSanciLASawyerSMPattonG. Do young people’s illness beliefs affect healthcare? a systematic review. J Adol Health. 2008;42(5):436–449.
28.
. Vianello R. and Marin ML. La comprensione della morte nel bambino. Firenze: Giunti Barbera;1985.
29.
SchonfeldDJ. Talking with children about death. J Pediatr Health Care. 1993;7(6):269–274.
30.
NoppeICNoppeLD. Evolving meanings of death during early, middle, and later adolescence. Death Stud. 1997;21(3):253–275.
31.
ZimmermannCRodinG. The denial of death thesis: sociological critique and implications for palliative care. Pall Med. 2004;18(2):121–128.
32.
KirbyD. The impact of schools and school programs upon adolescent sexual behavior. J Sex Res. 2002;39(1):27–33.
33.
FaggianoFVigna-TagliantiFDVersinoEZambonABorraccinoALemmaP. School-based prevention for illicit drugs use: a systematic review. Prev Med. 2008;46(5):385–396.
34.
ShermanEJPrimackBA. What works to prevent adolescent smoking? a systematic review of the national cancer institute's research-tested intervention programs. J Sch Health. 2009;79(9):391–399.
35.
RibeiroICParraDCHoehnerCM. School-based physical education programs: evidence-based physical activity interventions for youth in Latin America. Glob Health Promot. 2010;17(2):5–15.
36.
FoxcroftDRTsertsvadzeA. Universal school-based prevention programs for alcohol misuse in young people. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011;(5):CD009113.
37.
EloSKyngasH. The qualitative content analysis process. J Adv Nurs. 2007;62(1):107–115.
38.
PayneS. Qualitative methods of data collection and analysis. In: Haddington-HallJMBrueraEHigginsonIJPayneS (eds) Research methods in palliative care. New York: Oxford University Press; 2007:139–160.
