Articles tagged with Grief
A new study finds that widowed men experience poorer physical and mental health, while widowed women show resilience and improved well-being after losing their spouse. The study highlights the need for gender-specific strategies to support recovery after spousal loss.
A new study reveals that the hippocampus represents emotion concepts in a structured hierarchy of pleasantness and bodily reaction, while the ventromedial prefrontal cortex tracks relationships between these nodes. This map-like representation may help in the treatment of mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety.
A new study examines the magnitude of harm inflicted on Colombians through over 740,000 homicides and enforced disappearances during the conflict. The researchers estimate that approximately 7.5% of Colombians lost a close relative, with women being 20% more likely to have been affected.
Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) is characterized by intense emotional pain and longing for the deceased. Research highlights disruptions in reward-related brain networks as key to explaining why grief persists in some individuals.
The symposium brings together researchers to discuss end-of-life experiences, exploring biological processes, cultural interpretations, and spiritual approaches. It features lectures by prominent international experts, including Christof Koch, Michael Rera, Daniel Kondziella, and Jim Tucker.
A new study by the University of Bristol highlights how bereavement experiences and support needs among Black British and Black Caribbean communities are poorly understood. The research found that structural racism, cultural misunderstanding, and lack of tailored end-of-life support intensify grief, leading to mistrust in services.
Researchers found that group-based interventions, mindfulness-based techniques, and expressive therapies can reduce emotional distress and build resilience in people with cancer. CHMs like peer support and psychoeducation help patients reclaim their sense of self.
A new study by Edith Cowan University reveals that psychologists in Australia are underutilized in end-of-life care, with significant barriers preventing them from engaging. The researchers found that emotional strain, fear of litigation, and a lack of education and professional exposure are key deterrents to their involvement.
A recent study of over 5,500 widowed individuals found that emotional loneliness increases significantly after a spouse's death and continues for years. Despite stronger parent-child relationships, particularly among mothers who act as kin-keepers, social and emotional loneliness persists.
A recent study suggests that stressful life events can impact brain health differently depending on gender and educational level. The death of a partner was associated with changes in biomarkers related to Alzheimer's disease, while unemployment and economic losses were linked to structural differences in the brain.
Researchers from The University of Osaka found that Japanese macaques remain close to and care for their dying companions, displaying human-like reactions. The study reveals strong social bonds can affect behavior even after death, suggesting emotional capacities in non-human primates.
A national study by Florida Atlantic University reveals that cyberbullying, including exclusion and rejection, can lead to significant trauma in youth. The study found that almost 9 in 10 students experienced at least one form of victimization, highlighting the increasing ubiquity of digital aggression.
A study by Mr. Shun Saito and Associate Professor Taro Sugihara from Institute of Science Tokyo explored the experiences of bereaved family members and healthcare professionals in end-of-life care, revealing three types of 'unintended, percolated work' that hinder collaboration between stakeholders.
A new study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that song lyrics play a central role in helping individuals regulate their emotions. Analyzing over 2,800 'coping songs' chosen by people from 11 countries, researchers identified patterns between lyrical themes and emotional goals.
A study by University College London anthropologists found that macaque mothers experience a short period of physical restlessness after the death of an infant, but do not exhibit typical human signs of grief. In contrast to human bereavement, macaque mothers spent less time resting in the first two weeks after their infants' deaths.
A recent study by researchers from Colorado State University and Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance found that poor grief support in some US zoos leaves staff feeling limited empathy from leadership, burned out, and unable to openly express their grief. The research emphasizes the importance of developing comprehensive grief-affirming po...
A study of 9,387 nurses from 35 countries reveals widespread mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and burnout. Nurses experienced more symptoms at work than at home, with loss and public aggression posing significant threats to their mental health.
Preliminary research suggests that grieving a public figure's death can be similar to grieving a personal relationship, with intense emotions and lasting impact. Dr. Wendy Lichtenthal's work focuses on advancing bereavement science and 'meaning-centered' grief therapy for families and caregivers.
A new study from Uppsala University shows that an app can help parents who are mourning the loss of a child, reducing symptoms of prolonged grief and post-traumatic stress. The app provides four components: learning about grief, finding support, practical exercises, and a 'grief meter' to track feelings.
A new toolkit has been developed for clinicians involved in Child Death Review to improve support for bereaved parents. The recommendations include having a named bereavement support key worker within 24-48 hours after the child's death and providing training for healthcare professionals to better understand parents' roles.
A randomized clinical trial shows cognitive behavioral therapy for prolonged grief outperforms present-centered therapy in treating comorbid symptoms, while both treatments demonstrate effectiveness and acceptability. The findings suggest potential for dissemination and increased patient choice.
The Centre for Research and Innovation for Black Survivors of Homicide Victims argues that the prevalence of homicide grief in Black communities is a pandemic. The researchers recommend strategies such as promoting research, enhancing early detection, and improving culturally responsive support services to address this issue.
Researchers estimate that one in every 67 Palestinians will lose an offspring to conflict, while Ukraine and Afghanistan will experience high levels of orphaned children due to prolonged conflicts. Projections suggest bereavement will remain even after all armed conflicts end.
A new study highlights the importance of friendships in supporting young people who self-harm, while also considering the potential negative impact on friends' own mental wellbeing. The review recommends that adults should extend support to young people who disclose a friend's self-harming behavior.
Surveyed Neighbours fans exhibited intense emotional responses, including grief and loss, indicating a deep parasocial connection with the show. The study suggests that these strong relationships can lead to feelings of abandonment or uncertainty when the series concludes.
A new questionnaire assesses sexual health concerns in female partners of prostate cancer patients, highlighting challenges with communication and feelings of isolation. The study reveals high levels of distress and depression among these women.
A recent study at the Hebrew University examines the impact of memorial days on national unity amidst political polarization, revealing a notable decline in affective polarization during Holocaust Memorial Day. The research suggests that sadness plays a pivotal role in temporarily reducing societal divisions and safeguarding cohesion.
The Lancet Public Health paper emphasizes the need for a paradigm shift in bereavement care, with researchers advocating for transitional care models that integrate hospital and community-based support. The proposed model aims to bolster community capacity to support grievers and prioritize bereavement as a vital part of ethical health...
A study of 62 Swedish children's books found that most depict death through metaphors, making it difficult for children to understand. Rakel Eklund's research highlights the need for more books that openly discuss death and grief from the child's perspective.
A new study found that severe maternal grief, particularly the loss of a partner or child, is associated with an increased risk of heart failure in children up to middle age. The research suggests that prenatal stress may lead to adverse changes in mental and physical health, impacting fetal heart development.
A new study by North Carolina State University finds that daily activities called 'uplifts' can significantly improve emotional well-being after a traumatic loss. These uplifting activities, such as engaging in hobbies or spending time with loved ones, are found to be particularly beneficial on days when individuals report feeling older.
A large long-term study found that women's antidepressant use increases after later life divorce or break-up, with a significant increase in the 4 years leading up to the event. Women's use tends to tail off only slightly and briefly after re-partnering, while men's use returns to pre-break-up levels within a year.
A new study by UCL researchers found that financial stress is detrimental to biological health, disrupting the communication between immune and neuroendocrine systems. This can lead to disease, including cardiovascular disease, depression, and schizophrenia.
A new study published in Current Biology shows that dopamine plays a critical role in keeping love alive and forming close relationships. Prairie voles with monogamous pair bonds exhibit unique chemical imprints on their brain's reward center, motivating them to maintain these bonds over time.
A study of over 2 million individuals found a strong association between sibling death in childhood and early adulthood with an increased risk of early-onset cardiovascular diseases. The findings highlight the need for extra support to bereaved siblings to reduce this risk later in life.
A study by the University of Plymouth and Nottingham Trent University found that reading and writing poetry had a substantial positive impact on participants' wellbeing during the pandemic. Poetry helped reduce feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression, as well as supporting social and cultural recovery.
A mother-daughter duo has created a storybook to comfort bereaved families who have lost a child to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The book, Forever Our Little One, features illustrations inspired by the family's experiences. The NEC Society will benefit from all sales, supporting research into the devastating intestinal disease.
A new research programme called Prevail teaches employees evidence-based psychological techniques to manage mental health conditions, reducing stigma and sick days. The study found a 22% drop in recorded sick days among staff at the DVLA after implementing the programme.
Researchers at the University of Arizona studied the impact of grief on heart function and found a significant association between grief severity and elevated systolic blood pressure response. Grief can cause a marked rise in blood pressure, increasing the risk of cardiac events.
A Danish cohort study reveals significant health risks associated with bereavement in older adults. The study found that men are disproportionately affected, with an increased mortality rate after spousal loss.
A study by Simon Fraser University researchers highlights the need for expanded bereavement support services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey found that restrictions and isolation increased the risk of developing Prolonged Grief Disorder, with feelings of guilt being a significant contributing factor.
A Regenstrief-led study found that enhanced spiritual care for family members of ICU patients resulted in a clinically significant decline in anxiety and improved spiritual well-being. The study demonstrated the importance of chaplains to the long-term psychological health of surrogate decision-makers.
A new study from the University of Kansas reveals that media coverage of Hurricane Harvey in 2017 perpetuated racial biases in image presentation, showing people of color as displaced migrants, women as damsels in distress, and white men as saviors. The study highlights how these representations reinforce cultural narratives and stereo...
A new study found that experiencing the death of a spouse due to COVID-19 may be worse for mental health than deaths from other causes. People who lost a spouse to COVID-19 were more likely to report symptoms of depression and loneliness. The study underscores the ongoing health risks posed by the pandemic, even to those who have not b...
Grieving a close family member can significantly increase stress levels, contributing to poor prognosis in heart failure patients. The study found that bereavement was associated with increased mortality risk, particularly after death of a child or spouse/partner.
A new study suggests that losing a grandmother may have a significant impact on adolescent boys, leading to a 50% increase in depressive symptoms. The researchers also found that the loss of a grandparent can be a risk factor for teen depression and other negative outcomes.
A study by Diane Spatz of the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing found that donating milk served as an important part of the grieving process for some parents who had lost a baby before or at birth. This practice helped them form a connection with their child, reduce grief, and create a positive outcome for another family.
New research suggests that collective grief is a critical component of the Black grief experience, influenced by America's history of racialization and racial violence. This collective grief can be felt deeply due to strong community ties and kinship bonds formed during enslavement and historical trauma.
A pilot study by UC San Diego School of Medicine found that eight weeks of mindfulness training significantly reduced symptoms of trauma and depression in individuals grieving from gun violence. Participants showed notable improvements in life satisfaction, with benefits lasting after the program concluded.
A new video tool aims to help mothers understand that stillbirth is not their fault by explaining the aging process of the placenta. The research identifies that unexplained stillbirth is often due to 'aging of the placenta,' which is complex and not affected by the mother's behavior.
A survey of 426 Italian dog owners found that 86% observed negative changes in surviving dogs' behavior after the death of their companion. These changes included increased attention seeking, decreased activity, and fearfulness.
The Lancet Commission warns of the overmedicalization of death, highlighting vast inequities in palliative care access and high end-of-life medical costs. The commission advocates for a balanced approach, integrating communities and families with health and social care services to provide compassionate care.
A UConn study found that supporting surviving parents can reduce youth suicide risk by combating negative self-views in bereaved children. The Family Bereavement Program improved parenting skills and needs, leading to reduced aversive self-views and increased child positive connectedness.
Recent research shows differences in Russian and US approaches to emotion, with Russian parents reading stories featuring negative emotions to their children. This highlights cultural nuances in socializing emotions before school age.
The UK government is being called on to recognize every miscarriage as a bereavement, rather than an illness, and award statutory bereavement leave. This would provide parents with up to 1 week of paid leave after a miscarriage, regardless of gestation, and address the current arbitrary cliff edge at 24 weeks.
A new study reveals that young adults experienced significant losses during the pandemic, including missed social events and inability to say goodbye in person. Researchers collected stories from college students who reflected on their earliest and most significant losses regarding COVID-19.
A scoping review highlights both the challenges and resilience of adapting to virtual funerals during COVID-19, including concerns about technology barriers and access, as well as the importance of healthcare professionals' support.
A new study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology found that a six-week progressive muscle relaxation program significantly improved grief severity and yearning in widows and widowers. This approach was more effective than mindfulness training, which also showed improvements but not to the same extent.
A study found that trauma survivors who experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were more likely to experience complicated grief, a type of prolonged and intense sorrow. Researchers suggest that treating PTSD symptoms early may help prevent persistent grief in the long term.
A recent study published in European Journal of Epidemiology reveals that widowers are at a higher risk of being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. The research highlights the importance of social environment and lifestyle factors in the development of the disease.