"I was Just Trying to Stick it Out Until I Realized that I Couldn'T": A Phenomenological Investigation of Support Seeking among Older Adults with Complicated Grief. (February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ghesquiere, Angela
• Is Part Of: Omega. Volume 68:Number 1(2014)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 22
• Publication Date: 2014-02
• Subjects: Death -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Bereavement -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Death -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Suicide -- Periodicals; 306.9
• DOI: 10.2190/OM.68.1.a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0030-2228

Abstract

Complicated Grief (CG) is a prolonged, impairing mental health condition affecting about 7% of the bereaved. CG may be especially prevalent in older adults. Though evidence-based treatments for CG have been developed, little is known about support-seeking in older adults with CG. This study used the descriptive phenomenological approach to explore the CG support-seeking process. In-depth interviews were conducted with 8 CG-positive older adults who had completed participation in a randomized clinical trial of CG treatment. Five primary themes arose: observing that grief was causing a great deal of distress and impairment; grief not meeting expectations of what grief "should be"; an important influence of social relationships on support-seeking; lack of effectiveness of grief support groups and/or care from mental health professionals prior to study enrollment; and strong reactions to the label of CG. Themes may hep inform efforts to engage older adults with CG in effective care.