Chronic sorrow has been shown to explain the experience of people across the lifespan who encounter ongoing disparity because of significant loss. Nurses need to view chronic sorrow as a normal response to loss and, when it is triggered, provide support by fostering positive coping strategies and assuming roles that increase comfort.

This qualitative study was designed to examine the presence of chronic sorrow in diverse populations of individuals with chronic or life threatening conditions and to identify strategies for coping with feelings of chronic sorrow. Chronic sorrow was defined as a pervasive sadness that is permanent, periodic, and progressive in nature. The sample comprised 5 infertile couples, 10 individuals with long-term cancer, 10 individuals with multiple sclerosis, 6 individuals with Parkinson's disease, and 4 spouse caregivers. Data were collected through audiotaped face-to-face or telephone interviews using the Burke/NCRCS Chronic Sorrow Questionnaire. The audiotapes were transcribed, entered into a computer analysis program, and collaboratively analyzed by the researchers. The findings indicate that 83% of the subjects experienced chronic sorrow. The four coping strategies that were identified by the subjects as being helpful to their situation were categorized by the researchers as interpersonal, emotional, cognitive, and action.

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