Rates and prospective psychosocial correlates of pre-loss grief in cancer and dementia family members. (June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Singer, Jonathan; Shrout, M. Rosie; Papa, Anthony
• Is Part Of: Journal of health psychology. Volume 27:Number 7(2022)
• Page Start: 1547
• Page End: 1555
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Subjects: caregivers -- end of life -- pre-loss grief -- risk factors; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1177/1359105321995945
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-1053

Abstract

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.