This study examined changes in Pre-Loss Grief (PLG) among individuals whose family member has a life limiting illness and how baseline psychosocial factors predicted PLG. This two-wave study recruited family members of advanced cancer (N = 100) and dementia (N = 38) patients. A subsample completed 1-month follow-up (Cancer = 33; Dementia = 28). Higher caregiver burden and female participants predicted greater PLG at follow-up, accounting for baseline PLG. Family members of dementia patients (10.5%) were significantly more likely than family members of cancer patients (2.1%) to be in the “severe PLG” group. Findings demonstrate psychosocial factors related to PLG, informing interventions aimed at reducing PLG.
Anon. (2020) Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Leading Causes of Death.
2.
BellCJZimetGDHindsPS, et al. (2018) Refinement of a conceptual model for adolescent readiness to engage in end-of-life discussions. Cancer Nursing41(2): E21–E39. DOI: 10.1097/NCC.0000000000000465.
3.
BlevinsCAFrankWWMargaretTD, et al. (2015) The posttraumatic stress disorder checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5): Development and initial psychometric evaluation: Posttraumatic stress disorder checklist for DSM-5. Journal of Traumatic Stress28(6): 489–498. DOI: 10.1002/jts.22059.
4.
BonannoGAWortmanCLehmanDR, et al. (2002) Resilience to loss and chronic grief: A prospective study from preloss to 18-months postloss. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology83(5): 1150–1164. DOI: 10.1037/0022-3514.83.5.1150.
5.
del-Pino-CasadoRCardosaMRLópez-MartínezC, et al. (2019) The association between subjective caregiver burden and depressive symptoms in carers of older relatives: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One14(5): e0217648. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217648.
6.
ChiambrettoPMoroniLGuarnerioC, et al. (2010) Prolonged grief and depression in caregivers of patients in vegetative state. Brain Injury24(4): 581–588. DOI: 10.3109/02699051003610490.
7.
ChiuYWHuangCTYinSY, et al. (2010) Determinants of complicated grief in caregivers who cared for terminal cancer patients. Supportive Care in Cancer18(10): 1321–1327. DOI: 10.1007/s00520-009-0756-6.
8.
DalalSBrueraE (2017) End-of-life care matters: Palliative cancer care results in better care and lower costs. The Oncologist22(4): 361–368. DOI: 10.1634/theoncologist.2016-0277.
9.
GivensJLPrigersonHGKielyDK, et al. (2011) Grief among family members of nursing home residents with advanced dementia. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry19(6): 543–550. DOI: 10.1097/JGP.0b013e31820dcbe0.
10.
HardingRGaoWJacksonD, et al. (2015) Comparative analysis of informal caregiver burden in advanced cancer, dementia, and acquired brain injury. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management50(4): 445–452. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2015.04.005.
11.
HouwenKStroebeMStroebeW, et al (2010) Risk factors for bereavement outcome: A multivariate approach. Death Studies34(3): 195–220. DOI: 10.1080/07481180903559196.
12.
HudsonPL (2006) How well do family caregivers cope after caring for a relative with advanced disease and how can health professionals enhance their support?Journal of Palliative Medicine9(3): 694–703. DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2006.9.694.
13.
HudsonPLThomasLTrauerT, et al. (2011) Psychological and social profile of family caregivers on commencement of palliative care. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management41(3): 522–534. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2010.05.006.
14.
KerstingARSteinigJDWalterF, et al. (2013) Brief internet-based intervention reduces posttraumatic stress and prolonged grief in parents after the loss of a child during pregnancy: A randomized controlled trial. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics82(6): 372–381. DOI: 10.1159/000348713.
15.
KimYSchulzR (2008) Family caregivers’ strains: Comparative analysis of cancer caregiving with dementia, diabetes, and frail elderly caregiving. Journal of Aging and Health20(5): 483–503. DOI: 10.1177/0898264308317533.
16.
KroenkeKSpitzerRLWilliamsJ (2001) The PHQ-9: Validity of a brief depression severity measure. Journal of General Internal Medicine16(9): 606–613. DOI: 10.1046/j.1525-1497.2001.016009606.x.
17.
LöweBKroenkeKHerzogW, et al. (2004) Measuring depression outcome with a brief self-report instrument: Sensitivity to change of the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9). Journal of Affective Disorders81(1): 61–66. DOI: 10.1016/S0165-0327(03)00198-8.
18.
ManciniADBonannoGA (2006) Resilience in the face of potential trauma: Clinical practices and illustrations. Journal of Clinical Psychology62(8): 971–985. DOI: 10.1002/jclp.20283.
19.
McDonaldSDCalhounPS (2010) The diagnostic accuracy of the PTSD checklist: A critical review. Clinical Psychology Review30(8): 976–987. DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2010.06.012.
20.
NielsenMNeergaardMJensenA, et al. (2016) Psychological distress, health, and socio-economic factors in caregivers of terminally ill patients: A nationwide population-based Cohort study. Supportive Care in Cancer24(7): 3057–3067. DOI: 10.1007/s00520-016-3120-7.
21.
NielsenMKNeergaardMAJensenAB, et al. (2017) Preloss grief in family caregivers during end-of-life cancer care: A nationwide population-based Cohort study. Psycho-Oncology26(12): 2048–2056. DOI: 10.1002/pon.4416.
22.
O’RourkeNTuokkoHA (2003) Psychometric properties of an abridged version of the Zarit burden interview within a representative Canadian caregiver sample. The Gerontologist43(1): 121–127. DOI: 10.1093/geront/43.1.121.
23.
PrigersonHGHorowitzJMJacobsSC, et al. (2009) Prolonged grief disorder: Psychometric validation of criteria proposed for DSM-V and ICD-11. PLoS Medicine6(8): e1000121. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1000121.
ShafferKMKimYCarverCS, et al. (2017) Effects of caregiving status and changes in depressive symptoms on development of physical morbidity among long-term cancer caregivers. Health Psychology36(8): 770–778. DOI: 10.1037/hea0000528.
26.
SingerJPapaA (2021) Preparedness for the death of an elderly family member: A possible protective factor for pre-loss grief in informal caregivers. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics94: 10453.
27.
SingerJSpiegelJAPapaA (2020) Preloss grief in family members of COVID-19 patients: Recommendations for clinicians and researchers. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy12(S1): S90–S93. DOI: 10.1037/tra0000876.
28.
ZaritSOrrNKZaritJM (1985). The Hidden Victims of Alzheimer’s Disease: Families under Stress. NYU Press.
