Preparedness for the death of an elderly family member: A possible protective factor for pre-loss grief in informal caregivers

Singer, Jonathan; Papa, Anthony

doi:10.1016/j.archger.2021.104353

Cited by 18 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…More conflicts in the relationship were associated with less preparedness for caregiving. While previous studies have shown ambivalent results, they differed in measurement tools for relationship quality, as scales for self-evaluation and social support, as well as general acquaintance measures were used or relationship quality was seen as part of the construct without using a quantitative measurement [ 12 , 17 , 18 ]. Therefore, this is the first study to demonstrate the differential effects of perceived depth, or in other words, importance of the relationship [ 27 ] and conflict on pre-loss grief and preparedness.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies show that coping style, relationship quality, social support, health status and attachment style seem to be related to levels of pre-loss grief and/or preparedness [2,[10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. However, many studies show ambivalence regarding the direction of the effect, such as in the case of relationship quality, as some studies found a positive and others a negative association between quality of relationship and grief or preparedness [12,17,18]. Moreover, most studies only assessed preparedness for death or preparedness for caregiving, not exploring both constructs at the same time.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Factors associated with pre-loss grief and preparedness in relatives of people with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

et al. 2022

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Objectives Before the loss of a loved one to cancer, relatives have time to adapt to the impending death. However, due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, adjustment to an imminent death may be more difficult. This study investigates factors related to pre-loss grief and preparedness during the COVID-19 pandemic and their relationship with COVID-19 related fears. Methods Data of 299 participants from a cross-sectional study was used. Participants were included if they were relatives of people with cancer, spoke German and were at least 18 years. Multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted to measure the relationship between predictors (dysfunctional coping, emotion-focused coping, problem-focused coping, attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance, COVID-19 related fears, prognosis, perceived depth of the relationship, perceived conflict in the relationship, health status) and pre-loss grief, preparedness for caregiving and preparedness for death as the dependent variables. Results Perceived depth (β = .365, p < .001), COVID-19 related fears (β = .141, p = .002), prognosis for death (β = .241, p < .001), dysfunctional coping strategies (β = .281, p < .001) and emotion-focused coping strategies (β = -.320, p < .001) significantly predicted pre-loss grief. Prognosis for death (β = .347, p < .001), dysfunctional coping strategies (β = -.229, p < .001), emotion-focused coping strategies (β = .242, p < .001), COVID-19 related fears (β = -.112, p = .037) and health status (β = .123, p = .025) significantly predicted preparedness for death. Dysfunctional coping (β = -.147, p = .009), problem-focused coping (β = .162, p = .009), emotion-focused coping (β = .148, p = .017), COVID-19 related fears (β = -.151, p = .006), attachment anxiety (β = -.169, p = .003), perceived conflict in the relationship with the patient with cancer (β = -.164, p = .004), perceived depth in the relationship (β = .116, p = .048) and health status (β = .157, p = .003) significantly predicted preparedness for caregiving. Conclusions This study shows COVID-19 pandemic impacts on the grieving process of relatives of patients with cancer. Consequently, screening for pre-loss grief, preparedness and their associated factors may help provide early support for relatives of people with cancer at need. However, further research is needed to help understand the stability of pre-loss grief and preparedness.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors associated with pre-loss grief and preparedness in relatives of people with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

et al. 2022

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“…Preparedness for a loss has been shown to reduce both PLG and PGD (Nielsen et al, 2016; Tsai et al, 2016), especially when preparations focus on both immediate concerns related to an impending loss (e.g., social support) and future needs (e.g., planning for what happens after the death; Nielsen et al, 2016; Singer & Papa, 2020). Open communication between patients’ family members and health care providers aids in preparing for what might come, results in lower rates of long-term psychological distress, and decreases severity of PLG (Draper et al, 2019).…”

Section: Preloss Grief and Covid-19mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Misinformation and misunderstanding of life-limiting illnesses is another factor associated with limiting preparedness for a death that negatively affects the severity of PLG (Singer & Papa, 2020; Supiano et al, 2020). Unfortunately, misinformation about COVID-19, including etiology, rates of morbidity, outcomes, and potential treatments, has been pervasive (Garrett, 2020).…”

Section: Preloss Grief and Covid-19mentioning

confidence: 99%

Preloss grief in family members of COVID-19 patients: Recommendations for clinicians and researchers.

Singer¹,

Spiegel²,

Papa³

2020

Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy

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Researchers have long examined grief-related reactions to the diagnosis of a loved one with a terminal illness, including preloss grief (PLG), which is the experience of grief symptoms prior to the loss of a loved one. Families face novel challenges when loved ones with COVID-19 become critically ill—most notably mandated physical separation—and may experience a wide range of PLG responses. This commentary examines the existing literature related to PLG as a means for understanding the psychological impact of COVID-19 deaths, identifies factors professionals can assess for and address when working with a family member of COVID-19 patients, and identifies areas for future research related to COVID-19 and PLG.

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“…However, a neglected but common experience is pre-loss grief (PLG), which occurs when family members grieve the impending loss of their loved one or the loss of their pre-diagnosis relationship with the loved one (e.g. yearning for the individuals to be as they were before the illness; Nielsen et al, 2016; Singer et al, 2020; Singer & Papa, 2021). Even though research suggests that millions of family members of individuals with life limiting illnesses likely experience PLG symptoms, there is little research that has examined this construct, including how it is associated with psychosocial factors, how it changes over time, and if it differs depending on the loved one’s diagnosis.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Rates and prospective psychosocial correlates of pre-loss grief in cancer and dementia family members

2021

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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.

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Preparedness for the death of an elderly family member: A possible protective factor for pre-loss grief in informal caregivers

Cited by 18 publications

References 28 publications

Factors associated with pre-loss grief and preparedness in relatives of people with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Factors associated with pre-loss grief and preparedness in relatives of people with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Preloss grief in family members of COVID-19 patients: Recommendations for clinicians and researchers.

Rates and prospective psychosocial correlates of pre-loss grief in cancer and dementia family members

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