The first year of grief and bereavement in close family members to individuals who have died of cancer.
Ringdal, GI., Jordhøy, MS., Ringdal, K., Kaasa, S.
Palliative Medicine 2001, 15: 91-105
Abstract
Using a systematic and standardized method, this longitudinal study
examines changes in grief reactions in a sample of close family members
(n=183) to individuals who have died of cancer. The respondents were followed
for 1 year after the loss. The study sample originated from a cluster randomized
trial evaluating comprehensive palliative care (intervention) against conventional
care (control). Hence, we also compared grief reactions among close family
members to the patients in the intervention and control groups. Overall,
the family members' grief reactions, as measured by the second part of
The Texas Revised Inventory of Grief (TRIG), showed a significant decline
over the period studied. However, we found no significant differences in
grief reactions between the family members to the intervention and control
patients at any point in time, and the pattern of change did not differ
significantly for the two groups.
Key words: grief reactions, close family members (bereaved), cancer victims, randomized study, TRIG