Social support and complicated grief: A longitudinal study on bereaved parents after the Utøya terror attack in Norway

Wågø, Sunniva Skagen; Byrkjedal, Ida Kristiansen; Sinnes, Hanna Marie; Hystad, Sigurd William; Dyregrov, Kari

doi:10.15714/scandpsychol.4.e10

Cited by 16 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…Despite the social environment's importance for psychopathology (Brewin, Andrews, & Valentine, 2000), only a few studies have investigated social support. The non-significant association between social support and PGD was mainly due to one study, which found a positive correlation (Anderson, 2010), while the other studies consistently found negative correlations (Burke et al, 2010;Kristensen, Lars, & Heir, 2010;Wagø, Byrkjedal, Sinnes, Hystad, & Dyregrov, 2017). It was not possible to conduct subgroup analyses, and it remains for future research to investigate the link between social support and PGD further.…”

Section: Interpersonal Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 98%

A systematic review and meta-analysis of correlates of prolonged grief disorder in adults exposed to violent loss

Heeke

Kampisiou

Niemeyer

et al. 2017

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

107

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Background: Violent loss (i.e. loss through homicide, suicide, or accident) is associated with high levels of prolonged grief disorder (PGD). Objective: The current meta-analysis aims at identifying correlates of PGD in adults exposed to violent loss. Method: We conducted a systematic literature search in PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. We used the Pearson correlation coefficient r as an effect size measure and a random effects model was applied to calculate effect sizes. Results: Thirty-seven eligible studies published between 2003 and 2017 (N = 5911) revealed 29 potential correlates. Most studies used a cross-sectional design. Analyses revealed large significant effect sizes for comorbid psychopathology (r = .50-.59), suicidality (r = .41, 95% confidence interval [CI] [.30; .52]), and rumination (r = .42, 95% CI [.31; .52]), while medium effect sizes were found for exposure to traumatic events and factors concerning the relationship to the deceased. Small effect sizes emerged for sociodemographic characteristics, multiple loss, physical symptoms, and religious beliefs. Ten variables did not show a significant association with PGD. Heterogeneity and a small number of studies assessing certain correlates were observed. Conclusions: The associations with psychological disorders may indicate shared mechanisms of psychopathology. Moreover, we recommend that clinicians carefully assess suicidal ideation among individuals with PGD who have been exposed to violent loss. Further research is warranted using longitudinal study designs with large sample sizes to understand the relevance of these factors for the development of PGD. Una revisión sistemática y metanálisis de los correlatos de duelo prolongado en adultos expuestos a pérdidas violentas Antecedentes y objetivos: La pérdida violenta (ej. pérdida por homicidio, suicidio, accidente) está asociada con niveles elevados de trastorno por duelo prolongado (PGD, por sus siglas en inglés). El objetivo del metanálisis actual es identificar los correlatos del PGD en adultos expuestos a pérdidas violentas. Método: Condujimos una búsqueda sistemática de literatura en PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, PubMed, Web of Science y Scopus. Usamos el coeficiente r de correlación de Pearson como medición del tamaño del efecto de la muestra y se aplicó el modelo de efectos aleatorios (REM) para calcular los tamaños del efecto. Resultados: Treinta y siete estudios elegibles publicados entre el año 2003 y 2017 (N=5911) revelaron 29 correlatos potenciales. La mayoría de los estudios usaron un diseño transversal. Los análisis revelaron tamaños del efecto significativamente grandes para comorbilidad psicopatológica (r= .50-.59), suicidalidad (r=. 41, 95% IC[.30; .52]) y rumiación (r=.42, [.31; .52]), mientras que los tamaños del efecto medianos fueron encontrados para exposición a eventos traumáticos y factores concernientes a la relación del deceso. Los tamaños del efecto pequeños emergieron en las características sociodemográficas, pérdidas múltiples, síntomas físicos y ...

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Section: Interpersonal Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 98%

A systematic review and meta-analysis of correlates of prolonged grief disorder in adults exposed to violent loss

Heeke

Kampisiou

Niemeyer

et al. 2017

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

107

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The increased risk of suicide attempts for those experiencing grief was maintained even when controlling for cause of death and social stigma. Strong social support for those dealing with intense grief may not accelerate recovery [ 36 ], but it may improve the capacity to cope [ 37 ]. Typically, much of the responsibility for grief support falls on family and friends [ 38 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What is good grief support? Exploring the actors and actions in social support after traumatic grief

Cacciatore

Thieleman

Fretts³

et al. 2021

PLoS ONE

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Social support seems to enhance wellbeing and health in many populations. Conversely, poor social support and loneliness are a social determinant of poor health outcomes and can adversely affect physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Social support is especially important in traumatic grief. However, the ways in which grieving individuals interpret and define social support is not well understood, and little is known about what specific behaviours are perceived as helpful. Using qualitative description and content analysis, this study assessed bereaved individuals’ satisfaction of social support in traumatic grief, using four categories of social support as a framework. Findings suggest inadequate satisfaction from professional, familial, and community support. Pets emerged with the most satisfactory ratings. Further, findings suggest that emotional support is the most desired type of support following traumatic loss. Implications for supporting bereaved individuals within and beyond the context of the COVID-19 pandemic are discussed.

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“…At the same time, nearly all of the conducted research has been influenced by the belief that social support has a stress-buffering effect ( Lakey & Orehek, 2011 ). Although the parents who lost children in the Utøya terror and who had higher levels of social support experienced significantly lower levels of complicated grief, research has been unable to document an accelerated recovery effect that is directly due to levels of social support ( Wagø, Byrkjedal, Sinnes, Hystad, & Dyregrov, 2017 ). Again, this proves that the buffer model alone does not explain how social support influences health outcomes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Relational Perspective on Social Support Between Bereaved and Their Networks After Terror: A Qualitative Study

Dyregrov

Kristensen

Dyregrov

2018

Global Qualitative Nursing Research

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The aim of this study is to increase the understanding of social network support after traumatic deaths and, by demonstrating the complexities of such encounters, to highlight whether such support may be totally beneficial. A phenomenological dynamic and relational perspective was applied to 22 in-depth interviews with parents bereaved as a result of the 2011 terror attack in Norway. Three main themes were identified in respect of interactional support processes: (a) valued support, (b) stressful experiences, and (c) interactive barriers. As well as describing the value of experienced support, the article also elaborates on the effect of lacking, avoidant, and inept support. The findings show that insecure communication and a nonmatching understanding of time and emotional overload can form interactive barriers between the bereaved and their networks. By better understanding the relational regulation processes inherent in social support we may provide informed advice to both the bereaved and their networks to maximize recovery.

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Social support and complicated grief: A longitudinal study on bereaved parents after the Utøya terror attack in Norway

Cited by 16 publications

References 55 publications

A systematic review and meta-analysis of correlates of prolonged grief disorder in adults exposed to violent loss

A systematic review and meta-analysis of correlates of prolonged grief disorder in adults exposed to violent loss

What is good grief support? Exploring the actors and actions in social support after traumatic grief

A Relational Perspective on Social Support Between Bereaved and Their Networks After Terror: A Qualitative Study

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