Articles tagged with Grief
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.
A study of 1,349 Malawian women aged 16-26 found that nearly 13% reported difficulty conceiving, with 85.5% seeking help. Traditional healers were the most common source of support, used by 44.4% of women.
UK researchers found a lack of awareness and access to proper bereavement support among ethnic minority communities, with limited evidence on suitable services. The review emphasizes the need for involving community members in service development and delivery to meet specific needs.
A new study from the University of York suggests that Iron Age people kept everyday items like spoons and grinding stones as emotional reminders of deceased loved ones. This practice is replicated in societies across the globe today, revealing the raw emotional power that mundane objects can acquire at certain times and places.
A new study found that individuals experiencing pre-loss grief symptoms can adjust, but certain factors such as gender and caregiving burden exacerbate the experience. The research documented a significant correlation between dementia patients' family members and severe pre-loss grief.
A new online application, Living Memory Home, offers a virtual and personal memorial space for mourners to deposit memories and feelings about their loss. The platform allows users to create a customized memorial space, share photos and messages, and reflect on both positive and negative memories and emotions.
A new study highlights the need for healthcare professionals to facilitate connections between patients and their relatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research makes important recommendations for end-of-life care, including prioritising video and telephone calls, providing regular updates, and facilitating in-person goodbyes.
A new study by University of Arizona researcher Mary-Frances O'Connor found that people with persistent sleep challenges before losing someone are at higher risk for developing complicated grief. Complicated grief is characterized by an intense and persistent yearning for the lost loved one, disrupting daily functioning.
A new study found that the switch to remote working has helped some services reach out, but many practitioners feel they do not have capacity to meet people's needs. Bereavement care has become a major challenge during the pandemic, with increased demand and disruption of traditional services.
A recent study by Curtin University found that people grieving a COVID-related death require timely support to reduce challenges in everyday life. The research identified key psychological factors such as separation distress, dysfunctional grief, and post-traumatic stress as contributing to these difficulties.
A new study published in BMC Medicine reveals that informal carers provide more than half of total care costs in the UK, Ireland, and US during the last three months of life. The research emphasizes the need for improved integration and support for community palliative care services to enhance care quality and reduce burden on caregivers.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing difficulties with grieving in the US. Healthcare professionals, who are particularly vulnerable to burnout, report increased levels of grief and despair, leading to concerns about their well-being.
A new study in Japan found that caring for a loved one facilitates necessary end-of-life discussions, while experiencing a loved one's death does not. The experience of caregiving appears to be a key predictor of having end-of-life discussions, regardless of the caregiver's age.
A recent study on the 2011 Norwegian terrorist attacks found that family members experienced three distinct grief trajectories: moderate, chronic, and those with little to no recovery. High levels of grief were common among participants, with intrusive thoughts contributing to delayed recovery.
A nationwide survey in Japan reveals that deeper grief correlates with lower quality of life, increased medical reliance, and higher rates of medical costs. Factors like funeral satisfaction and social support can predict who needs help in bereavement.
A comprehensive survey found similar color-emotion associations worldwide, with red linked to both love and anger globally. National peculiarities were observed, such as white being associated with sadness in China and purple with mourning in Greece. Climate may also influence these associations.
A study from Aarhus University found that relatives with severe long-term grief reactions have more frequent GP contact and higher medication use before bereavement. This suggests that early intervention may help prevent severe grief reactions.
Research examines neuroendocrine effects of grief, finding elevated cortisol levels in bereaved individuals with possible long-term health consequences. The study calls for more research on potential markers of neuroendocrine activity associated with grief to inform tailored interventions.
A study by Penn State researchers found that every COVID-19 death will impact around nine surviving close family members, including grandparents, parents, siblings, spouses, and children. The multiplier effect may help raise awareness about the disease's ripple effects and inform policies on family leave and paid leave.
A new analysis reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in nearly 1.22 million Americans losing a close relation, with young people and Black Americans disproportionately affected. The study found that each death corresponds to approximately 9 bereaved individuals, highlighting the far-reaching impact of the crisis on families.
The COVID-19 pandemic is causing deaths with forced separations that deny final goodbyes and traditional mourning rituals. Bereavement care is essential to offset the risks of psychological distress. Authors suggest words clinicians can say to bereaved family members and guidance on referrals.
A conservation biologist reflects on losing species like saiga antelopes and Huemel deer, highlighting the complexities of conservation. She shares her hope for success stories in protected areas like Yellowstone National Park and the importance of focusing on rare species.
A new study led by the University of Sydney has found that common medication can reduce the risk of heart attack during early bereavement. The research used a low daily dose of beta blockers and aspirin to mitigate cardiac risks without affecting grief, with reduced levels of anxiety persisting even after stopping treatment.
Researchers estimate that more than half of African mothers have experienced the death of a child under age five, and nearly two thirds have experienced any child's death. This study highlights the burden of bereavement as a public health threat in low-income regions.
Researchers studied over 2,500 languages, finding that emotions like grief, fear, joy, and sadness are conceptualized differently globally. Emotions are primarily distinguished as pleasant or unpleasant, with similar levels of arousal.
Researchers argue that ignoring grief can cloud judgment, inhibit creativity and make it harder to find solutions. They propose that support for environmental scientists could improve their ability to think creatively about the future.
A new study found that traumatic grief reactions in youth post-9/11 warrant separate clinical attention. The study, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, identified a distinct bereavement-related disorder that captures maladaptive reactions after 9/11.
A study examined which conditions were considered illnesses by different groups, revealing a significant difference between psychiatrists and non-medical professionals. The results underscore the importance of understanding societal attitudes towards mental health, as these perceptions influence resource allocation and stigma.
Researchers received funding to investigate novel approaches to address caregiver grief, sleep dysfunction, balance problems, upper limb function deficits, memory issues, and fatigue in TBI survivors. Studies aim to enhance learning, motor skills, and functional recovery through targeted interventions.
A new study reveals that consumers are actively choosing to visit certain places to confront their feelings, grief or worries in a safe space. Therapeutic Servicescapes like Lourdes' marketplace offer emotional expression and vulnerability acceptance, leading to improved well-being.
A pilot study found that specialist-led bereavement services led by senior doctors, nurses, and the quality and safety lead can help curb patient complaints and legal action in the wake of a difficult death. Most families who used the service had unanswered questions about clinical care and quality of care provided.
The study reveals four key themes: gravity of losses, logistics of care, personal versus professional conflicts, and increased student cohesion. The school counselors' reflections provide valuable insights into how they navigated crises while balancing their own needs.
A study by Columbia engineers and psychiatrists reveals that avoidant grievers unconsciously monitor and block their mental state to prevent painful thoughts. The researchers used neural decoding to track the interactions between mental processes, showing that this control occurs outside of conscious awareness.
Researchers analyzed 24 captive killer whales' personality traits using the five-factor model, finding similarities with both humans and chimpanzees. The study suggests that complex social interactions may require certain personality traits.
A study from Rice University found that grief can cause inflammation leading to negative health outcomes such as cardiovascular problems and premature mortality. Researchers discovered that widows and widowers with elevated grief symptoms suffered higher levels of bodily inflammation.
A neuroscientist is studying the neural mechanisms behind attachment and bereavement using prairie voles. The findings could help inform treatment for people who have trouble forming emotional connections, such as those with autism or depression.
Researchers at Aarhus University found that patients who received talk therapy shortly after a relative's death had a lower risk of suicide and psychiatric illness. The study, which analyzed health data from over 200,000 Danes, suggests that early intervention can prevent serious psychiatric events.
Men who experienced a male friend or family member's suicide found solace in self-care and social connections, revealing that masculinity is not mutually exclusive with emotional expression. The study highlights the importance of acknowledging men's grief in a way that respects their values.
A new study found that artwork created by artists experiencing personal unhappiness, particularly during bereavement, can experience a significant decrease in value. Paintings created in the year following a friend or relative's death saw a 35% drop in value compared to other works.
A study of 11 addiction treatment professionals reflects the increase in prescription drug addictions and staff-related challenges following Hurricane Katrina. The disaster led to the creation of emergency preparedness plans, but participants expressed frustration with federal help conditions.
Ambiguous losses in physicians' roles can cause stress and grief, which contributes to burnout if not acknowledged. A proposed solution is supporting physicians in addressing their grief, rather than focusing on resilience training.
A free mobile app has been developed to help healthcare providers assess and address intense grief in patients following a pregnancy loss or newborn death. The app uses the Perinatal Grief Intensity Scale (PGIS) to predict patients at risk for clinical-level anxiety, depression, and continuing grief.
A new study by University of Arizona researchers found that virtual reality support groups can be an effective tool for older adults dealing with grief and depression. Participants showed improvements in stress, loneliness, and sleep quality, but only those in the virtual reality group reported a reduction in symptoms of depression.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that childhood bereavement due to a sibling's death was associated with a higher risk of death in both the short and long term. Nearly 8% of US children experience a sibling dying in childhood, with an increased risk of death from all causes observed across the follow-up period.
Bert Hayslip Jr., a renowned gerontologist, has been awarded the GSA's 2016 Distinguished Career Contribution to Gerontology Award for his groundbreaking research on aging. His work focuses on noncognitive influences on intellectual functioning, grandparenthood, and interventions to improve cognitive functioning.
Researchers found that Twitter users discuss, debate, and even canonize or condemn deceased individuals, reflecting a broader approach to death than on Facebook. This shift enables people who didn't know the person to engage in public discussions about death, breaking down traditional hierarchies of grief.
A new study has found that GPs lack knowledge and confidence in dealing with parents who have lost a child to suicide, leading to feelings of isolation and stigma. The research highlights the need for training and support for primary care practitioners to better respond to these vulnerable families.
A randomized clinical trial found that psychotherapy for complicated grief is efficacious and adding antidepressant citalopram improves outcomes for those with co-occurring depressive symptoms. The study's results support using antidepressants in conjunction with therapy for relief of co-occurring symptoms.
A survey of oncologists and palliative care consultants found that most believe writing condolence letters is important in cancer palliative care. The study suggests that this practice should remain personal and not be standardized.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) has received a three-year, $1.55 million grant from the New York Life Foundation to establish the GIFT (Grief-Informed Foundations of Treatment) network. The network will refine, evaluate and validate assessment tools for grieving children to identify appropriate suppo...