Chronic sorrow is the presence of pervasive grief-related feelings that have been found to occur periodically throughout the lives of individuals with chronic health conditions, their family caregivers, and the bereaved. These feelings emerge in response to an ongoing disparity that results from the loss of the anticipated “normal” lifestyle of these persons. Circumstances and situations shown to trigger chronic sorrow in a variety of these populations are defined. Similarities and differences of the trigger events among groups and the implications for family nursing practice are discussed. Support that has been identified as helpful when life circumstances evoke chronic sorrow is described.
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