Positive emotion communication: Fostering well-being at end of life. Issue 4 (April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Terrill, Alexandra L.; Ellington, Lee; John, Kevin K.; Latimer, Seth; Xu, Jiayun; Reblin, Maija; Clayton, Margaret F.
• Is Part Of: Patient education and counseling. Volume 101:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 631
• Page End: 638
• Publication Date: 2018-04
• Subjects: Caregiver -- Cancer -- Expressed emotion -- Hospice care -- Communication; Patient education -- Periodicals; Health counseling -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; Counseling -- Periodicals; Patient Education -- Periodicals; Éducation des patients -- Périodiques; Counseling -- Périodiques; Éducation sanitaire -- Périodiques; 615.5071
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2017.11.018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0738-3991

Abstract

Highlights: Developed a coding system for positive emotion communication research. Nurses initiated the most positive emotion communication. End-of-life positive emotion communication occurs in various forms and frequencies. The most frequently used positive emotion code across all speakers was humor. Focusing on positive emotion brings strengths-based approaches into end-of-life care. Abstract: Objective: Little is known about positive emotion communication (PEC) in end-of-life care. This study aims to identify types and patterns of PEC among hospice nurses, caregivers, and patients. Methods: A coding system based on positive psychology theory was applied as a secondary analysis to audio recordings of hospice nurse home visits with cancer patients and family caregivers, collected as part of a prospective longitudinal study. Eighty recordings (4 visits from 20 triads) were coded for humor, connection, praise, positive focus, gratitude, taking joy/savoring, and perfunctory statements. Results: Descriptive statistics revealed the greatest proportion of PEC was made by nurses. Humor was most frequently used across all speakers. Cluster analysis revealed four PEC visit types: Savor/Take Joy; Humor; Perfunctory; and Other-focused Expressions of Positive Emotions. Linear mixed effect regression was used to estimate the trajectory of PEC over time, but no significant change was found. Conclusion: We found that positive emotions are common in nurse, caregiver and patient communication at end-of-life and do not decline closer to death. Practice implication: This study is among the first to explore PEC at end-of-life, and offers a way to bring strengths-based approaches into end of life communication research.