Latent profiles of physical and psychological outcomes of bereaved parents in China who lost their only child. Issue 1 (1st January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhou, Ningning; Yu, Wei; Huang, Hui; Shi, Guangyuan; Luo, Haoxian; Song, Chao; Xing, Yilun; Wang, Jianping; Killikelly, Clare
• Is Part Of: European journal of psychotraumatology. Volume 9:Issue 1(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-01-01
• Subjects: Latent profile analysis -- bereaved parents -- losing an only child in China -- subjective physical health -- psychological health; Palabras claves -- Análisis de perfil latente -- padres en dueloérdida de hijo único en China -- Salud físicasalud psicológica.; 关键词 -- 潜剖面分析 -- 丧子父母 -- 失独 -- 生理健康 -- 心理健康; Three subgroups which presented a severity-based gradient were identified, i.e. a 'resilient' subgroup, a 'coping' subgroup and a 'dysfunctional' subgroup. The 'coping' subgroup had the highest levels of post-traumatic growth. Less satisfaction with spousal relationship and recruitment from the online self-help groups and community institutions are associated with the membership of the 'coping' or 'dysfunctional' subgroup compared to the 'resilient' subgroup.; Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Periodicals; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 616.8521
• DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2018.1544026
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2000-8198

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background : Along with the implementation of the one-child policy in China, a special group of bereaved parents called 'shiduer' (失独者), meaning parents bereaved by the loss of their only child, emerged. Although previous research has examined the physical and psychological health of this population, individual differences in physical and psychological outcomes are still not well understood. Objective : This study aimed to identify heterogenous subgroups of Chinese bereaved parents who lost their only child based on the physical and psychological health of this population as well as the predictive factors of each subgroup. Method : Latent profile analysis was used to explore underlying patterns of physical and psychological indicators including subjective physical health, negative psychological outcomes (i.e. depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and prolonged grief disorder) and positive psychological outcomes (i.e. post-traumatic growth) among a sample of Chinese bereaved parents who lost their only child ( N = 536). A three-step approach was used to examine the effects of covariates including quality of spousal relationship and recruitment channels on psychological and physical outcomes. Results : A three-profile model identified severity-based groupings of a 'resilient' subgroup ( n = 153), a 'coping' subgroup ( n = 338) and a 'dysfunctional' subgroup ( n = 45). Less satisfaction with spousal relationship and recruitment from institutions in the community and online self-help groups (vs. offline support groups) are associated with the membership of the 'coping' or 'dysfunctional' subgroup compared to the 'resilient' subgroup. Conclusions : There is heterogeneity regarding the physical and psychological health of Chinese parents after losing their only child. The predictive effects of the quality of spousal relationship and the recruitment channels could provide directions for professional intervention.