Examining bereavement‐related needs and outcomes among survivors of sudden loss: A latent profile analysis

Bottomley, Jamison S.; Campbell, Kevin W.; Neimeyer, Robert A.

doi:10.1002/jclp.23261

Cited by 11 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 79 publications

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“…Although these are the only studies that directly examine mental health correlates of overdose loss, these investigations were limited by a relatively small sample size, included drug-related deaths (e.g., deaths due to accident or infectious disease secondary to drug use), or failed to capture other forms of psychopathology (e.g., moodrelated symptoms and suicide risk) to provide a more accurate scope of the problem. Although not a direct examination of overdose loss survivorship, Bottomley et al (2021) examined patterns of bereavement-related needs and their associated outcomes among a sample of sudden loss survivors (i.e., overdose, suicide, and sudden natural losses). Four homogenous groups of individuals were identified based on the importance of needs with individuals reporting the highest degree of needs being predominately comprised of overdose BOTTOMLEY ET AL.…”

Section: The Phenomenology Of Opioid-related Lossmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although not a direct examination of overdose loss survivorship, Bottomley et al. (2021) examined patterns of bereavement‐related needs and their associated outcomes among a sample of sudden loss survivors (i.e., overdose, suicide, and sudden natural losses). Four homogenous groups of individuals were identified based on the importance of needs with individuals reporting the highest degree of needs being predominately comprised of overdose and suicide loss survivors.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exploring the mental health correlates of overdose loss

2021

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Despite the exorbitant rise in overdose‐related deaths, little is known about the mental health burden associated with this form of loss. Using validated self‐report instruments, the present study investigated the prevalence of pathological symptoms of prolonged grief disorder (PGD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and suicide risk among a sample of overdose loss survivors (n = 115). Comparison groups consisting of other sudden loss survivors (suicide and sudden‐natural loss) were employed to illuminate any shared or unique mental health challenges. Consistent with this study's primary hypothesis, results indicated that the overall mental health burden of overdose loss is substantial. Specifically, after controlling for a number of covariates, overdose loss survivors were approximately three times more likely to meet the symptom severity threshold for PGD, PTSD, and MDD compared to sudden‐natural loss survivors. Overdose loss survivors also appeared to be at risk for GAD symptoms and suicide, but differences were non‐significant after accounting for a number of covariates. Overall, this study is the first to examine this particular constellation of mental health outcomes associated with overdose bereavement, underscoring the need for additional empirical and clinical attention placed on this burgeoning population.

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Section: The Phenomenology Of Opioid-related Lossmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the mental health correlates of overdose loss

2021

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“…The results of this study suggest that the 20-item SBNI is a psychometrically valid and reliable instrument for assessing bereavement needs following sudden death by suicide, overdose, or natural causes-causes of death that are increasing in prevalence (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021) and are associated with a panoply of negative outcomes (e.g., Bottomley, Campbell, & Neimeyer, 2021;Rozalski et al, 2016). This study confirmed that the SBNI comprised six factors: Pragmatic Needs, Informational Needs, Spiritual Needs, Relational Needs, Meaning Needs, and Emotional Needs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Bereavement in the Aftermath of Suicide, Overdose, and Sudden-Natural Death: Evaluating a New Measure of Needs

Bottomley

Smigelsky

2022

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Bereavement has been associated with a number of adverse outcomes, including mortality, particularly among those who experience the sudden loss of a close other. With rising rates of sudden death in the United States, fueled by an alarming increase in fatal overdose deaths, identifying bereavement-related needs among the sudden-death bereaved is essential. The present study investigated the factor structure, internal reliability, and validity of the Sudden Bereavement Needs Inventory (SBNI) in a sample of sudden loss survivors (i.e., fatal overdose, suicide, and sudden-natural loss; N = 403). Confirmatory factor analysis supported a six-factor structure, with items reflecting pragmatic, informational, spiritual, relational, meaning, and emotional needs. SBNI factors showed adequate internal consistency, with significant associations between SBNI scores, loss characteristics, and mental health outcomes (e.g., prolonged grief symptoms, meaning-making, posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD] symptoms, and anxiety), supporting the scale’s validity and highlighting the potential applicability of the instrument in both research and clinical contexts. Future research should examine test–retest reliability of the SBNI, particularly through the lens of understanding whether and how bereavement needs change over time.

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“…Parents who have experienced a drug-related bereavement have a higher mortality rate than non-bereaved parents and parents bereaved by other causes of death ( Christiansen et al, 2020 ). Bottomley et al (2021) studied the mental health burden associated with overdose-related deaths and found that the overall mental health burden of those bereaved by overdose is substantial compared to those bereaved by sudden natural loss. People bereaved by overdose were almost three times more likely to meet the symptom severity level for prolonged grief disorder (PGD), post-traumatic stress disorder, and major depressive disorder.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…People bereaved by overdose were almost three times more likely to meet the symptom severity level for prolonged grief disorder (PGD), post-traumatic stress disorder, and major depressive disorder. They also appeared to be at risk of generalized anxiety disorder and suicide ( Bottomley et al, 2021 ). Titlestad and Dyregrov (2022) have also found a strong association between suicidal thoughts and high levels of PGD among bereaved family members, with the highest level of prolonged grief symptoms found among participants in the group who had lost a family member one to 2 years previously.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Paths to positive growth in parents bereaved by drug-related death: A mixed-method study

et al. 2022

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IntroductionDrug-related deaths (DRDs) are a major public health challenge. Losing a child to a DRD can be a very stressful life event, which places parents at risk of mental and physical health problems. However, traumatic experiences like losing a child to DRD can paradoxically also lead to positive psychological changes. A mixed-method approach was used to understand the complexity of the phenomenon of post-traumatic growth experienced by parents following a DRD.MethodBy combining data from a survey (n = 89) and interviews (n = 14), we explored positive growth experiences among Norwegian parents. We conducted descriptive analyses of the sample’s demographic characteristics and mean scores for Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI-SF) items. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to examine the influence of the ability to perform daily activities (WSAS), self-efficacy (GSE-SF), social support (CSS), and symptoms of prolonged grief (PG-13) on the outcome variable of post-traumatic growth (PTGI-SF). Reflexive thematic analysis was applied to analyze the qualitative data. Finally, we integrated the results of the survey and the interviews.ResultsFor items measuring post-traumatic growth, parents scored highest on the item “I discovered that I’m stronger than I thought I was” and lowest on the item “I am able to do better things with my life.” Self-efficacy and social support had a statistically significant relation with post-traumatic growth. Two themes were generated from the interviews: (I) new perspectives on life and (II) new paths in life. Even though the “New Possibilities” subscale had the lowest mean score for the PTGI-SF, new paths in life were important for many of the interviewed parents.DiscussionParents described traumatic stressors associated with having a child who uses narcotics and hence experienced positive changes even before losing their child. We argue that on an individual level, the consequences of spillover stigma, low self-efficacy, and intrusive rumination can hinder potential post-traumatic growth. On a group level, enhancing network support may increase post-traumatic growth experiences. Hence, parents who have experienced a DRD can benefit from help to activate their social networks and strengthen their self-efficacy.

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Examining bereavement‐related needs and outcomes among survivors of sudden loss: A latent profile analysis

Cited by 11 publications

References 79 publications

Exploring the mental health correlates of overdose loss

Exploring the mental health correlates of overdose loss

Bereavement in the Aftermath of Suicide, Overdose, and Sudden-Natural Death: Evaluating a New Measure of Needs

Paths to positive growth in parents bereaved by drug-related death: A mixed-method study

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