Grampian Bereavement Resource and Interest Group
Below we provide brief notes about selected resources that may be useful to professionals supporting bereaved people or to bereaved people themselves. The resources highlighted reflect the diversity of bereavement experiences and approaches to bereavement care.
Contents of this section of the website are updated and added to on a regular basis.
SANDS report on bereavement care
This report (July 2010) from SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity) examined bereavement care to parents in UK maternity units who had lost a baby at birth or soon after. It highlights developments in care for this group of bereaved but also identifies areas where improvements could be made.
www.uk-sands.org/no_cache/News/Newspage/article/151/22.html
Britons fearful of dying
50% of Britons admit to fearing the process of dying, according to the findings of a new research project on death and dying by Theos, the public theology think tank. [May 2009]
Death by Indifference (Following up on the Treat me right! report). Mencap March 2007. The report describes widespread ignorance and indifference
throughouthealthcare services towards people with a learning disability
and their families and carers. [Download document]
NHS Grampian Referral process to Acute Learning Disability Nurse Advisor
8th International Conference on Grief and Bereavement in Contemporary Society
Consequence of Loss: Resilience and Complications in the Grief Expereience
15-18th July 2008 in Melbourne. Presentations: http://www.icgb08.com/presentations
A literature review on bereavement and bereavement care: developing evidence-based practice in Scotland
Wimpenny, P., Unwin, R., Dempster, P., Grundy, M., Work, F., Brown, A. and Wilcock, S.,
Bereavement Care 2007, 26(1), pp. 7-10
This paper presents a report of a systematic review of the literature about bereavement and bereavement care. Included papers were identified and appraised from a range of healthcare settings. Thirteen key messages were extracted (insert link to research page) . The acknowledgement and addressing of these important features could enhance services.
The prediction of bereavement outcome: development of an integrative risk factor framework
Stroebe, M.S., Folkman, S., Hansson, R.O. and Schut, H.
Social Science & Medicine 2006, 63(9), pp. 2440-2451
This paper, though an intensive read, raises many interesting issues about the assessment of risk for complicated grief. Previous research has examined suitable risk factors and protective factors in isolation. This study aimed to develop a risk factor framework informed by recent theoretical and empirical research that will reflect diversity in bereavement response and predict outcome for individuals.
The researchers reviewed the research and suggested a provisional set of variables for inclusion in a framework for risk factor assessment. Discussion of the literature reviewed is presented, in particular loss and restoration associated stressors, interpersonal and intrapersonal attributes and their effect on bereavement outcome.
The researchers believe that the framework proposed promotes assessment of risk factors in combinations. It is theory based with included variables based on rational concepts. They argue that the framework will increase the ability to predict outcome for a bereaved individual by guiding the selection of relevant variables and facilitating their testing in combinations. They hope it will stimulate research into more accurate assessment of risk and outcome prediction.
Cognitive behaviour therapy to prevent complicated grief among relatives and spouses bereaved by suicide: cluster randomised controlled trial
De Groot, M., De Keijser, J., Neeleman, J., Kerkhof, A., Nolen, W. and Burger, H.
BMJ (Clinical research ed.) 2007, 334(7601), pp. 994-994
An estimated 6-15% of bereaved individuals may suffer complicated grief with some developing long term psychiatric difficulties. People bereaved by suicide may be at more risk of developing symptoms.
This study took place in Holland and aimed to assess whether family based cognitive behaviour therapy prevents complicated grief in people bereaved by suicide. 1 st degree relatives and spouses were recruited and families were randomly allocated to receive 4 sessions of grief counselling or usual care. Intervention 41 families (74 participants); control 33 families (60 participants). Outcome measures were assessed 13 months post bereavement. Primary outcome measure: self reported complicated grief. Secondary measures: depressive symptoms in past week; suicidal ideation in past month; perceptions of being to blame.
Results: counselling had no effect on complicated grief; maladaptive grief reactions were less common in intervention group; counselling had no effect on the levels of depression or suicidal ideation. The intervention reduced perceptions of being to blame to a significant level when adjustment was made for baseline inequalities.
Recruitment was problematic for the researchers though they conclude that cognitive behaviour therapy may be useful in the prevention of poor adaptation and self blame in people bereaved by suicide.
Some issues in the provision of adult bereavement support by UK hospices
Field, D., Payne, S., Relf, M. and Reid, D.
Social science & medicine (1982) 2007, 64(2), pp. 428-438
Bereavement support in the UK has traditionally been provided by faith groups and charities. Most hospices now regard bereavement support as integral to their role.
This study aimed to provide information about the nature and functioning of bereavement support services in UK hospices. Data collection took place in two phases. 1. A questionnaire survey of all UK hospices and palliative care centres that provide bereavement support. 2. Five in-depth organisational case studies.
Key themes identified: description of adult bereavement services; continuity of care between pre-bereavement and bereavement support; integration of bereavement services within hospices; involvement of volunteers; role of hospices in area wide bereavement support.
Conclusions: hospices are well placed to provide bereavement support and offer expertise to other areas – statutory/voluntary sector. However, there was little evidence of such collaboration though opportunities exist for sharing expertise.
Support Information and Websites
Documents reviewed by the Group
Help is at Hand: A resource for people bereaved by suicide and other sudden, traumatic death [Department of Health Document] Help is at Hand is a guide for people affected by suicide or other traumatic death. It is easy to read and contains detailed information and practical advice.
Section 1. Practical matters Note that this section focuses on systems in England & Wales for investigating the death, arranging the funeral, and dealing with the will and estate. In Scotland the relevant information can be found in After a Suicide, available on the Choose Life website: www.chooselife.net/web/FILES/AfteraSuicide.pdf
Section 2. Experiencing bereavement This section gives detailed descriptions of specific emotions and responses to a death by suicide or trauma as well as descriptions of how people may feel more generally when bereaved. In addition, practical tips are provided that may help someone to cope with their grief.
Section 3. Bereaved people with particular needs Here you will find detailed information about how parents may respond to a child's suicide. Practical advice is given about how people may cope with their feelings. Information is also provided about how death by suicide can affect children or teenagers in the family, and how parents can provide support.
Section 4. How friends and colleagues can help Friends, colleagues, employers and teachers of someone bereaved by suicide may want to help. This section provides useful information and advice about what can help. There is also advice on how health and social care staff can support bereaved families, and support eachother in the aftermath of a traumatic death.
Section 5. Sources of support A comprehensive listing of sources of support is provided, including: bereavement organisations; self help groups; financial issues and wills; websites; books and leaflets.
This booklet is highly recommended for anyone affected by death by suicide, including family members, friends, colleagues and those who support bereaved relatives professionally. In particular, it helps to identify the diversity of reactions that may be occur after a suicide and provides practical advice on supporting the bereaved. The level of detail provided, and its clear and concise presentation makes it a very informative resource in regard to bereavement by suicide that has obvious practical application.
[Audrey Stephen]
'Talking about bereavement': NHS Health Scotland 2006
I felt this booklet "talking about bereavement" was written in simple,
understandable language therefore straight forward and readable, very
user friendly. a good description of "normal grief" / normal feelings
is explained. good and useful contact addresses given at the end. All
in all very good and comprehensive. [Shona Grant]
MARUYAMA, N.C. and ATENCIO, C.V., 2008. Evaluating a
bereavement support group. Palliative & Supportive Care, 6(1), pp. 43-49
Full text for this article is available free from the journal website:
http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayIssue?jid=PAX&volumeId=6&issueI
d=01#
[Review by Paul Sclare]