Meaning-Making Coping Methods among Bereaved Parents: A Pilot Survey Study in Sweden

The death of a child may result in traumatizing forms of grief, and meaning-making coping with loss seems to be important in prevention of intense psychosocial problems among bereaved parents. The aim of this quantitative pilot study was to discover the divergent meaning-making coping methods used by bereaved parents in Sweden. In doing so, 162 respondents were selected using a convenience sampling method, and they responded to the modified version of RCOPE. The study revealed that the strategies talking to others about their feelings, pondering the meaning of life alone, and being in nature for greater emotional affiliation, i.e., what we call secular existential coping methods, have been the most used meaning-making coping methods among Swedish mourning parents. While explaining the results, we considered the respondents’ cultural background and speculated about the potential influence of cultural teachings and elements in the selection of ways of coping with bereavement. Further, we compared the results obtained with those of the two other Swedish studies conducted among people coping with cancer and COVID-19 to further discuss the impact of culture on coping with illness, loss, grief, and crisis. The study supports the idea that culture plays an essential role in the choice of coping methods.

Resilience of Military Metaphors

Military metaphors have been ubiquitous in medicine for centuries. This indicates that tropes of battle may be helpful to some persons in coping with illness. This chapter examines pathographies, that is, stories of illness written by patients, and the words that describe their experiences. A powerful example of a war correspondent and historian of battles of WWII illustrates how military language offers a sense of control and self-reliance for a person who values action and engagement. Thus, for some, figures of war and victory are especially resonant and may counter the loss of dignity and fear that accompany illness. However, this demands bravado, stoicism, and even denial. Further, the words may shift to heroism in the face of defeat as the illness worsens. This chapter notes the particular responsibilities of the physician caring for the “warrior” patient and the imperative for an adaptable and nuanced stance as the illness evolves.

Growing up with a pacemaker

Indications for pacemakers in young children are rare. In our university hospitals, on average 8 patients/year received a pacemaker in this age group between 2001 and 2015 for a drainage area of 4 million people. In 28% this is for congenital heart block and in 69% for bradycardia after surgical repair of congenital structural heart disease. Despite the extensive range of patient information about pacemakers, we felt a need for targeted material for young patients, who have an indication for a pacemaker, and their family. We wanted to provide this information to this specific group in a creative, accessible and clear way, taking into account their way of thinking. In addition, we also wanted to involve the near and wider environment of the child (family, school, sports club, etc.), and to provide them with tools to better deal with the medical situation. For the little children we created a stop-motion story in which sinus node disease (SND) and AV block (AVB) are represented by a character: Bob Sparkle (Bob Prikkel in Dutch for SND) and Boris Sparkle (Boris Prikkel for AVB). Bob and Boris get into trouble and are rescued by Pacemaker, the third character in the films. This story is preceded by an informative part for parents and older children in which the normal functioning and conduction system of the heart is explained. Based on the films, we designed customized information brochures for +12 and −12 year-old children. The brochure for +12 includes the same information as the adult version, but in more comprehensible language. The figures Bob and Boris were added throughout this brochure as a sort of common thread. For the −12 group we designed 2 reading books in which the story of Bob / Boris is told. The −12 booklets can be included in a cover along with the +12 brochure, so that the parents can estimate for themselves what is most suitable for their child. We conducted a survey on how this information was received by patients and their relatives.61 families were contacted by e-mail to fill in a questionnaire using a 5-point Likert Scale. The survey assessed the following three items: graphic design, intelligibility and aid in coping with illness. Currently we have received answers from 12 patients or their relatives. Overall, there was a positive reception of the different informative tools (agree or strongly agree: booklets: 92.6%; brochure: 77.2%; films: 81.3%). Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

O enfrentamento da doença e da morte: As diferentes faces de Jesus como recurso terapêutico

This books presents an analysis of different faces of Christ displayed in Catholic Churches in different continents and countries and the relationship that this face can maintain with the health-disease process and coping with death and dying. It proposes to establish a reflection with people who are in this situation or in providing care to them, whether in the professional or personal and family modalities. It is divided into two parts, the first containing the description and analysis of the iconography of the Jesus faces and the second with proposals for their insertion in the daily life, coping with illness and the reality of death

BEST PRACTICE CAREGIVING: DIFFERENCES AND GAPS AMONG DEMENTIA SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR FAMILY & FRIEND CAREGIVERS

Family members and friends are the main providers of care for persons living with dementia. However, dementia caregivers are at greater risk than other caregivers of experiencing negative caregiving consequences. Despite the development of evidence-based programs to support dementia caregivers, few health or social service organizations offer any of these programs due, in part, to a lack of knowledge about their availability. Best Practice Caregiving is a newly launched website where professionals can get detailed information about these programs. Data collected to develop Best Practice Caregiving are analyzed for a sample of 42 evidence-based dementia caregiving programs to describe similarities and differences among programs including gaps in assistance available from these programs. Results show 64% of programs are delivered to caregivers only while the remaining are delivered to the caregiver and/or persons with dementia. Nearly half (43%) of the 42 programs are delivered in-person, 38% by phone, with 17% delivered all or in part online. Most programs are delivered by professionals (86%) followed by trained lay leaders (40%) and self-guided (12%). Most programs (95%) provide assistance with coping with illness/caregiving and the relationship of the dyad. Fewer than half of the programs assist caregivers with issues regarding finances (45%), end-of-life care (43%), and medical care (40%). Data from 233 delivery organizations show the most common challenge was getting caregivers to accept and complete the program (86%). Delivery sites reported more success with funding the program (mean=8.2 on a scale of 1-10) than with marketing and recruiting participants (mean=6.7).