Prevalence and Correlates of Suicidal Ideation in a Treatment-Seeking Sample of Violent Loss Survivors

Crisis ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 377-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joah L. Williams ◽  
Jasmine R. Eddinger ◽  
Edward K. Rynearson ◽  
Alyssa A. Rheingold
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Treatment Seeking ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Prolonged Grief ◽  
Loved One ◽  
The Us ◽  
Bereaved Family

Abstract. Background: Family members grieving the traumatic death of a loved one, as in cases of homicide, suicide, and fatal accidents, are at risk for a number of trauma and bereavement-related mental health problems, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, prolonged grief disorder, and suicidal ideation (SI). Aims: The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and correlates of SI among a sample of 130 treatment-seeking traumatically bereaved family members. Method: Adults seeking treatment at two clinics on the US West Coast were assessed for SI, clinical outcomes, and death-related characteristics. Results: Overall, 42% of traumatically bereaved family members endorsed some form of active or passive SI on the Beck Depression Inventory suicide item. The type of loss experienced (i.e., homicide, suicide, fatal accident) was not associated with SI. Although individuals with SI reported more severe symptoms across all clinical outcomes, avoidance (OR = 2.22) and depression (OR = 1.16) were uniquely associated with SI even after adjusting for PTSD-related intrusions and hyperarousal. Limitations: Results should be interpreted in light of limitations associated with cross-sectional data and a single-item outcome of SI. Conclusion: Routine screening for SI should be standard practice for providers working with traumatically bereaved families.

scholarly journals Symptoms of Prolonged Grief and Self-Reported Health Among Bereaved Family Members of Persons Who Died From Sudden Cardiac Arrest

2021 ◽  
pp. 003022282110181
Author(s):  
Nina Carlsson ◽  
Anette Alvariza ◽  
Anders Bremer ◽  
Lena Axelsson ◽  
Kristofer Årestedt
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Sudden Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Western World ◽  
Observation Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Prolonged Grief ◽  
The Family ◽  
Reported Health ◽  
Bereaved Family

Sudden cardiac arrest is common and is one of the leading causes of death in the western world, and the sudden loss following cardiac arrest may have a significant impact on bereaved family members’ health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe symptoms of prolonged grief and self-reported health among bereaved family members of persons who died from sudden cardiac arrest, with comparisons between spouses and non-spouses. This was a cross-sectional observation study with 108 adult family members who completed a questionnaire. A fifth of the family members reported prolonged grief, and problems with self-reported health were common, especially regarding anxiety. Spouses reported more problems with prolonged grief and self-reported health compared with non-spouses. The risk of these family members developing prolonged grief and health problems should be recognized, and professional support should be offered.

scholarly journals Support received by family members before, at and after an ill person’s death

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna O’Sullivan ◽  
Anette Alvariza ◽  
Joakim Öhlén ◽  
Cecilia Larsdotter
Keyword(s):  
Survey Design ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Time Of Death ◽  
Healthcare Staff ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Advanced Illness ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Bereaved Family

Abstract Background It is widely recognised, that family members are central to care of people with advanced illness, and that support should be provided to all family members in need thereof. The aim of this study was to investigate family members’ experiences of support received during the last three months of life, at the time of death and after the death of a person with advanced illness. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional survey design was employed, using the VOICES(SF) questionnaire and multiple methods for data analyses. The sample consisted of 485 bereaved family members (aged: 20–90 years old, 70% women) of people who died in hospital between August 2016-April 2017. Results Of the family members, 58,8% reported they had received enough help and support during the illness, whereas 30,2% had not. Family members’ comments about support during the illness were mainly related to care the ill person had or had not received, rather than about support they themselves received. Of all family members, 52,8% reported having had enough support at the time of the ill person’s death. Related to support at death, 14,6% reported that the imminence of death was not clear, which was described as having affected their opportunity to be with the dying person at the time of death. Of all, 25,2% had a follow-up conversation after the death, 48% did not and did not want to, and 21% had no follow-up conversation, but would have liked one. A follow-up conversation was described as helpful for the bereavement process, and disappointment was expressed when not receiving support after the death. Conclusions Family members’ experiences of support were partly related to whether the ill person’s care needs were fulfilled. Healthcare staff expressing empathy and respect in the care of dying people and their family members were important for family members’ experiences of support. Family members’ difficulty recognising that death was imminent and the importance of healthcare staff providing them with clear information were expressed in connection with support at death. Follow-up conversations were valued by family members, especially if with a healthcare professional who was present at the time of death.

Family and Clinician Experiences of Sympathy Cards in the 3 Wishes Project

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 422-428
Author(s):  
Alyson Takaoka ◽  
Meredith Vanstone ◽  
Thanh H. Neville ◽  
Sophia Goksoyr ◽  
Marilyn Swinton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Loved One ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Shared Humanity ◽  
Clinician Experiences ◽  
Conventional Content Analysis ◽  
Bereaved Family

Background A recent randomized trial of bereaved family members of patients who died in an intensive care unit identified symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress in recipients of semistructured condolence letters. Objectives To explore family member and clinician experiences with receiving or sending handwritten sympathy cards upon the death of patients involved in a personalized end-of-life intervention, the 3 Wishes Project. Methods Interviews and focus groups were held with 171 family members and 222 clinicians at 4 centers to discuss their experiences with the 3 Wishes Project. Interview transcripts were searched to identify participants who discussed sympathy cards. Data related to sympathy cards were independently coded by 2 investigators through conventional content analysis. Results Sympathy cards were discussed during 32 interviews (by 25 family members of 21 patients and by 11 clinicians) and 2 focus groups (8 other clinicians). Family members reported that personalized sympathy cards were a welcome surprise; they experienced them as a heartfelt act of compassion. Clinicians viewed cards as an opportunity to express shared humanity with families, reminding them that they and their loved one were not forgotten. Signing cards allowed clinicians to reminisce individually and collectively with colleagues. Family members and clinicians experienced sympathy cards as a meaningful continuation of care after a patient’s death. Conclusions Inviting clinicians who cared for deceased patients to offer personalized, handwritten condolences to bereaved family members may cultivate sincere and individualized expressions of sympathy that bereaved families appreciate after the death of patients involved in the 3 Wishes Project.

Unconfirmed death as a predictor of psychological morbidity in family members of disappeared persons

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (16) ◽  
pp. 2764-2771
Author(s):  
Amila Isuru ◽  
S. N. Hewage ◽  
Padmakumara Bandumithra ◽  
S. S. Williams
Keyword(s):  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Civil Conflict ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Psychological Morbidity ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Loved One ◽  
2004 Tsunami ◽  
The Disappeared

AbstractBackgroundThe 2004 tsunami, the civil conflict until 2009 and the youth insurrection in the late 1980s in Sri Lanka resulted in many persons being classified as ‘missing’ as they disappeared and were unaccounted for. Our aim was to compare the prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) and prolonged grief disorder (PGD) in families of disappeared individuals, who eventually received the mortal remains and those who did not.MethodAn ethically approved cross sectional study was conducted in a purposively selected sample after informed consent. Information on the circumstances of the family member going missing was gathered. Culturally adapted versions of the General Health Questionnaire and the Beck Depression Scale were administered. Those who screened positive were assessed by a psychiatrist on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 criteria to arrive at a diagnosis.ResultsOf 391 cases of disappearances studied, MDD (17.5% v. 6%) and PGD (22% v. 7%) were significantly higher in those who did not eventually receive the mortal remains of the disappeared person. Among those who did not receive the mortal remains, being unsure whether the disappeared person was dead or alive was highly predictive of MDD and PGD. Mothers and wives, older family members and those with a family history of mental illness were more vulnerable.ConclusionsFamily members of missing individuals unsure whether their loved one was alive or dead have higher psychological morbidity in the form of MDD and PGD.

scholarly journals Different Trajectories of Prolonged Grief in Bereaved Family Members After Terror

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pål Kristensen ◽  
Kari Dyregrov ◽  
Rolf Gjestad
Keyword(s):  
Family Members ◽  
Prolonged Grief ◽  
Bereaved Family

Care for Imminently Dying Cancer Patients: Family Members' Experiences and Recommendations

2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 142-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takuya Shinjo ◽  
Tatsuya Morita ◽  
Kei Hirai ◽  
Mitsunori Miyashita ◽  
Kazuki Sato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Emotional Distress ◽  
Medical Staff ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Nationwide Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Dying Patients ◽  
The Family ◽  
High Level ◽  
Bereaved Family

Purpose The aim of this study was to clarify the level of emotional distress experienced by bereaved family members and the perceived necessity for improvement in the care for imminently dying patients and to explore possible causes of distress and alleviating measures. Methods A cross-sectional nationwide survey was performed in 2007 of bereaved families of cancer patients at 95 palliative care units across Japan. Results Questionnaires were sent to 670 families, and 76% responded. Families reported their experiences as very distressing in 45% of cases. Regarding care, 1.2% of respondents believed that a lot of improvement was needed, compared with 58% who believed no improvement was needed. Determinants of high-level distress were a younger patient age, being a spouse, and overhearing conversations between the medical staff outside the room at the time of the patient's death; those reporting high-level necessity of improvement were less likely to have encountered attempts to ensure the patient's comfort, received less family coaching on how to care for the patient, and felt that insufficient time was allowed for the family to grieve after the patient's death. Conclusion A considerable number of families experienced severe emotional distress when their family member died. Thus, we propose that a desirable care concept for imminently dying cancer patients should include relief of patient suffering, family advisement on how to care for the patient, allowance of enough time for the family to grieve, and ensuring that family members cannot overhear medical staff conversations at the time of the patient's death.

Support for families of patients dying with dementia: A qualitative analysis of bereaved family members' experiences and suggestions

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 435-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pia Muders ◽  
Corinna Aruna Zahrt-Omar ◽  
Sonja Bussmann ◽  
Julia Haberstroh ◽  
Martin Weber
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Support ◽  
Care Setting ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Professional Support ◽  
Terminal Phase ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Disease Trajectory ◽  
Bereaved Family

AbstractObjective:To explore and document the needs of family caregivers of patients dying with dementia and to identify how healthcare professionals can adequately support them.Method:We employed a cross-sectional survey containing open-ended questions that were analyzed using qualitative methods.Results:Receiving information about the diagnosis and disease trajectory of dementia is essential for the caregiving families of people dying with the disease. However, at present the communication of information offered by professionals is not experienced as satisfying. Further aspects that require improvement concern issues related to time constraints, as well as practical and emotional support from professionals in the care setting. Family members would also like professionals to better assist them during and after the dying process.Significance of Results:Family members face multiple burdens while caring for their demented relatives and need more professional support during the course of the disease trajectory as well as in the terminal phase.

scholarly journals Support for family members who are caregivers to relatives with acquired brain injury

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-85
Author(s):  
Janet Walker ◽  
Lourens Schlebusch ◽  
Bernhard Gaede
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significance Level

Objectives. Family members caring for a patient with acquired brain injury (ABI) are coping with inordinate levels of stress partially due to their lack of understanding of the neuropsychological effects of acquired brain injury in the patient. The objective of this research is to show that as the caregivers’ stress levels increase, there is an increase in suicidal ideation. This highlights the causal relationship between unhealthy stress and reduced psychological well-being in these caregivers. In addition, qualitative research evidence regarding the caregivers’ views of their main sources of stress are presented. Methods. The participants were a random sample of 80 family caregivers of patients with acquired brain injury, out of whom 72.5% (58) are primary caregivers and 27.5% (22) are secondary caregivers. A mixed methodology was utilized. It comprised cross-sectional descriptive and phenomenological approaches. Quantitative data were obtained from two standardized measures: The Stress Symptom Checklist (SSCL) and item 9 of the Beck Depression Inventory. The qualitative data were derived from self-report procedures that were part of a structured questionnaire administered individually during the interviews. Results. The Kruskal-Wallis test with a significance level of p = .05 was used to compare the stress and suicidal ideation scores, which revealed that increasing levels of stress led to increased suicidality. The analysis of the qualitative data revealed five themes which were identified as the triggers of the caregivers’ profound stress. Most caregivers felt that it was predominantly the patient’s neuropsychological deficits, such as emotions and/or moods, cognitive ability, behavior and personality, executive function, and social factors that caused them profound stress. Conclusions. Support and education are needed to help family caregivers understand the neuropsychological impact of acquired brain injury on the patient. Once caregivers have an improved understanding and receive better support from healthcare providers, they should experience less stress and be better prepared to provide the appropriate support to patients with acquired brain injury.

scholarly journals Sexual violence and suicidal ideation among French adults, a mediation analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
F El-Khoury ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Mediation Analysis ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Objectives Sexual violence against women is endemic and is linked with a host of mental health problems and suicidal behaviour. We test whether sexual violence is more prevalent and have more damaging psychological effects among women compared to men, and quantify its mediating role in the association between sex and suicidal ideation and behaviour. Methods We used data from the “Health Barometer” (Baromètre Santé) 2017 a cross-sectional phone survey, which recruited a nationally representative sample of French adults aged 18 to 75 years in 2017 (n = 25319). Data were weighted to be representative of the French adult population. Outcomes included suicidal ideation, imagery of suicide, and suicide attempts in the preceding year. We conducted mutlivariable mediation analysis using the counterfactual approach to evaluate the contribution that lifetime sexual violence has in the association between sex and suicidal ideation and behaviour. Results We found that women are five times more likely to have experienced sexual victimisation, and are more at risk of any suicidal ideation and imagery of suicide in the preceding year compared to men. Women and men had comparable rates of suicide attempts in the preceding year. We estimated that 47% of the increased risk of suicidal ideation in the preceding year women have compared to men is mediated by lifetime sexual assault. Lifetime sexual assault also explained 39% of the association between sex and having imagery of suicide. Discussion Our findings reiterate the importance of the prevention of sexual violence and an adequate care for sexual assault victims, especially women, in public health and mental health policies and initiatives. Key messages Women are five times more likely to have experienced sexual victimisation compared to men, and are more likely to suffer from suicidal ideation in the preceding year. Experience of lifetime sexual violence contributes substantially (around 50%) to women’s increased likelihood of suicidal ideation compared to men.

scholarly journals Level of Stigma among Spanish Nursing Students toward Mental Illness and Associated Factors: A Mixed-Methods Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (23) ◽  
pp. 4870 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodríguez-Almagro ◽  
Hernández-Martínez ◽  
Rodríguez-Almagro ◽  
Quiros-García ◽  
Solano-Ruiz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Nursing Students ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
World Health ◽  
Mental Health Stigma ◽  
Cross Sectional

Mental health problems have been identified by the World Health Organization as a global development priority. Negative attitudes toward mental health patients have been documented in multiple health professionals. The aim of this study was to determine the level of stigma and associated factors toward people with mental health problems among students doing their degree in nursing. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach. A cross-sectional descriptive observational study was carried out on a sample of 359 students doing their degree in nursing. Students had to be enrolled in any of the four years of study of the degree at the time the questionnaire was done. We explored the perception and experience of students doing their degree in nursing regarding the level of stigma, through in-depth interviews (n = 30). The mean overall Mental Health Stigma Scale (MHSS) score was 30.7 points (SD = 4.52); 29.5% (n = 106) scored low for stigma, 49.9% (n = 179) showed moderate stigma, and 20.6% (n = 74) scored high. The multivariate analysis showed that 4th-year students had an OR of 0.41 (CI95%: 0.20–0.84) for high/moderate stigma and that 3rd-year students had an OR of 0.49 for high/moderate stigma compared with 1st-year students. We also observed that students with family members with mental health problems had an OR of 2.05 (CI95%: 1.19–3.56) for high/moderate stigma compared with students who did not have family members with mental health problems. The following categories emerged: fear and lack of knowledge, breaking the silence, and integration into society. The levels of mental health stigma in our sample of nursing students were moderate. Stigma levels were lower in 3rd- and 4th-year students (i.e., after having received training in mental health), and in students with family members with mental health problems.

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