scholarly journals Factors associated with symptoms of prolonged grief among bereaved family members of persons who died from sudden cardiac arrest

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
N Carlsson ◽  
K Arestedt ◽  
A Alvariza ◽  
L Axelsson ◽  
A Bremer
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Sudden Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Professional Support ◽  
Prolonged Grief ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
The Family ◽  
Bereaved Family

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Linnaeus University, Sweden Background High incidence and mortality make cardiac arrest one of the leading causes of death in western countries. Death from sudden cardiac arrest implies a stressful and challenging situation for bereaved family members with increased risk for prolonged grief disorder. This serious disorder needs to be identified and treated. Purpose To explore factors associated with symptoms of prolonged grief among bereaved family members of persons who died from sudden cardiac arrest. Methods This cross-sectional observational study was based on a questionnaire to bereaved family members six month after the death. Background questions about the family member and the loss, the Prolonged Grief disorder instrument (PG-13) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were included and analyzed using univariate and multiple linear regression. Results This study included 108 family members who were adult children (n = 55, 51%), spouse (n = 36, 33%), or significant others (n = 17, 16%) to a person that died of sudden cardiac arrest. The mean age of the family members was 61 years (range 25-87), most were women (n = 74, 69%), and did not have a university degree (n = 74, 69%). A majority of the cardiac arrests took place out of hospital (n = 59, 81%). One third of the family members were present during the resuscitation (n = 35, 32%). A minority was offered professional support from the healthcare service (n = 93, 86%) and few sought healthcare for problems in relation to the loss (n = 19, 18%) and/or received professional support from a psychologist or equivalent (n = 16, 15%). In total, 18% (n = 19) reported symptoms of prolonged grief and the prevalence was even higher among spouses (n = 10, 29%). In the univariate regression models, being a spouse of the deceased (B = 6.34, p = 0.004, R2 = 0.08), sought healthcare related to the loss (B = 10.51, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.15), offered support from the healthcare related to the loss (B = 6.28, p = 0.030, R2 = 0.05), received professional support for the loss (B = 7.30, p = 0.011, R2 = 0.06), and lower levels of perceived social support (B=-0.28, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.16) were significantly associated with higher levels of symptoms of prolonged grief. All these variables, except offered support from the healthcare, were still significant in the multiple regression model and explained 35% of the total variance in PG-13 (F(4, 96)=12.96, p < 0.001). Age, sex, education, and presence during resuscitation were not significantly associated with symptoms of prolonged grief in any of the regression models. Conclusion Prolonged grief is a significant problem in bereaved family members of persons who died from sudden cardiac arrest, particularly in spouses, those in need of professional support from the healthcare, and those with low social support. Bereavement support should be offered to reduce the risk to developing prolonged grief after unsuccessful resuscitation and sudden death from cardiac arrest.

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 Losing a close person following death by sudden cardiac arrest: Bereaved family members’ lived experiences

Death Studies ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Nina Carlsson ◽  
Anders Bremer ◽  
Anette Alvariza ◽  
Kristofer Årestedt ◽  
Lena Axelsson
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Sudden Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Person Following ◽  
Bereaved Family

scholarly journals Course and predictors of posttraumatic stress-related symptoms among family members of deceased ICU patients during the first year of bereavement

Critical Care ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Siew Tzuh Tang ◽  
Chung-Chi Huang ◽  
Tsung-Hui Hu ◽  
Wen-Chi Chou ◽  
Li-Pang Chuang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Icu Patients ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Bereaved Family

Abstract Background/Objective Death in intensive care units (ICUs) may increase bereaved family members’ risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, posttraumatic stress-related symptoms (hereafter as PTSD symptoms) and their precipitating factors were seldom examined among bereaved family members and primarily focused on associations between PTSD symptoms and patient/family characteristics. We aimed to investigate the course and predictors of clinically significant PTSD symptoms among family members of deceased ICU patients by focusing on modifiable quality indicators for end-of-life ICU care. Method In this longitudinal observational study, 319 family members of deceased ICU patients were consecutively recruited from medical ICUs from two Taiwanese medical centers. PTSD symptoms were assessed at 1, 3, 6, and 13 months post-loss using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). Family satisfaction with end-of-life care in ICUs was assessed at 1 month post-loss. End-of-life care received in ICUs was documented over the patient’s ICU stay. Predictors for developing clinically significant PTSD symptoms (IES-R score ≥ 33) were identified by multivariate logistic regression with generalized estimating equation modeling. Results The prevalence of clinically significant PTSD symptoms decreased significantly over time (from 11.0% at 1 month to 1.6% at 13 months post-loss). Longer ICU stays (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 1.036 [1.006, 1.066]), financial insufficiency (3.166 [1.159, 8.647]), and reported use of pain medications (3.408 [1.230, 9.441]) by family members were associated with a higher likelihood of clinically significant PTSD symptoms among family members during bereavement. Stronger perceived social support (0.937 [0.911, 0.965]) and having a Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) order issued before the patient’s death (0.073 [0.011, 0.490]) were associated with a lower likelihood of clinically significant PTSD symptoms. No significant association was observed for family members’ satisfaction with end-of-life care (0.988 [0.944, 1.034]) or decision-making in ICUs (0.980 [0.944, 1.018]). Conclusions The likelihood of clinically significant PTSD symptoms among family members decreased significantly over the first bereavement year and was lower when a DNR order was issued before death. Enhancing social support and facilitating a DNR order may reduce the trauma of ICU death of a beloved for family members at risk for developing clinically significant PTSD symptoms.

scholarly journals Modifiable risk factors associated with sudden cardiac arrest within hemodialysis clinics

2011 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 218-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick H. Pun ◽  
Ruediger W. Lehrich ◽  
Emily F. Honeycutt ◽  
Charles A. Herzog ◽  
John P. Middleton
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Sudden Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Modifiable Risk Factors ◽  
Factors Associated

Emergency department factors associated with survival after sudden cardiac arrest

Resuscitation ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 292-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas J. Johnson ◽  
Rama A. Salhi ◽  
Benjamin S. Abella ◽  
Robert W. Neumar ◽  
David F. Gaieski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Sudden Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Factors Associated

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.

Balancing Between Closeness and Distance: Emergency Medical Services Personnel’s Experiences of Caring for Families at Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest and Sudden Death

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anders Bremer ◽  
Karin Dahlberg ◽  
Lars Sandman
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Sudden Death ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Emergency Medical Services ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Family Care ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
Bereaved Family ◽  
Hospital Cardiac Arrest

AbstractIntroduction: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a lethal health problem that affects between 236,000 and 325,000 people in the United States each year. As resuscitation attempts are unsuccessful in 70-98% of OHCA cases, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel often face the needs of bereaved family members.Problem: Decisions to continue or terminate resuscitation at OHCA are influenced by factors other than patient clinical characteristics, such as EMS personnel’s knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding family emotional preparedness. However, there is little research exploring how EMS personnel care for bereaved family members, or how they are affected by family dynamics and the emotional contexts. The aim of this study is to analyze EMS personnel’s experiences of caring for families when patients suffer cardiac arrest and sudden death.Methods: The study is based on a hermeneutic lifeworld approach. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 10 EMS personnel from an EMS agency in southern Sweden.Results: The EMS personnel interviewed felt responsible for both patient care and family care, and sometimes failed to prioritize these responsibilities as a result of their own perceptions, feelings and reactions. Moving from patient care to family care implied a movement from well-structured guidance to a situational response, where the personnel were forced to balance between interpretive reasoning and a more direct emotional response, at their own discretion. With such affective responses in decision-making, the personnel risked erroneous conclusions and care relationships with elements of dishonesty, misguided benevolence and false hopes. The ability to recognize and respond to people’s existential questions and needs was essential. It was dependent on the EMS personnel’s balance between closeness and distance, and on their courage in facing the emotional expressions of the families, as well as the personnel’s own vulnerability. The presence of family members placed great demands on mobility (moving from patient care to family care) in the decision-making process, invoking a need for ethical competence.Conclusion: Ethical caring competence is needed in the care of bereaved family members to avoid additional suffering. Opportunities to reflect on these situations within a framework of care ethics, continuous moral education, and clinical ethics training are needed. Support in dealing with personal discomfort and clear guidelines on family support could benefit EMS personnel.

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 Coping with Drug Abuser in the Family: A Qualitative Study in Penang, Malaysia

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 22-27
Author(s):  
Paramjit Singh Jamir Singh ◽  
Azlinda Azman ◽  
Syazwani Drani
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Drug Abuse ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Drug Addiction ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Self Help ◽  
The Family ◽  
Social Support Systems

Drug use in Malaysia has steadily increased over the past decade. Drug addiction does not only affect the addict, but it also impacts the lives of their family members. This qualitative study seeks to explore how the drug user’s family members cope with the drug abuse problems in the family. A total of 20 respondents, acting as heads of their families, from the state of Penang, were interviewed. The findings indicated that the respondents utilized both problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies to cope with the drug addiction problems in the family. The respondents in this study also used both formal and informal social support systems to cope with the drug abuse problems caused by drug abuse within the family. This study suggests that the drug user’s family members should engage themselves in self-help and support groups to find and learn about constructive coping strategies used by other families who have a similar experience in dealing with drug abuse problems in the family. In addition, by engaging themselves in self-help and support groups, it will help the drug user’s family members gain emotional and social support from other drug user’s family members.

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