Factors associated with psychological distress and grief resolution in surviving spouses of patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer

(creator_code:org_t)

2009-11-21
2010
English.
In: Supportive Care in Cancer. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0941-4355 .- 1433-7339. ; 18:11, s. 1377-1384

Related links:: https://urn.kb.se/re...; show more...; https://doi.org/10.1...; http://kipublication...; show less...

Abstract Subject headings

GOALS OF WORK:Patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer often have a short survival time. This means that spouses only have a short time to adjust to the approaching death. The aim was to explore whether psychological distress at diagnosis, the course of the illness (anti-tumour treatment, respite period and survival time), the spouses' experience of the care and of losing a loved one were related to distress and grief resolution after the patient had deceased.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Twenty-one spouses were followed prospectively from the patient's diagnosis of advanced gastrointestinal cancer to 6 months after the patient death. Spouses' experiences were measured with an interview, psychological distress with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and grief resolution with the Grief Resolution Index. MAINRESULTS:The spouses' anxiety at the time of diagnosis was related to their anxiety and grief resolution at follow-up. Two additional factors were associated with higher levels of anxiety at follow-up; the patient having received anti-tumour treatment and the spouse having experienced stress as a caregiver.CONCLUSIONS: The study indicates that anti-tumour treatment, though it has the potential to prolong life, does not positively influence spouses' psychological distress and bereavement after the death of the patient.

By the author/editor: Winterling, Jean ...; Wasteson, Elisab ...; Arving, Cecilia; Johansson, Birgi ...; Glimelius, Bengt; Nordin, Karin

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