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BMC Palliative Care
Published in: BMC Palliative Care 1/2008

Open Access 01-12-2008 | Research article

Bereavement help-seeking following an 'expected' death: a cross-sectional randomised face-to-face population survey

Authors: David C Currow, Katrina Allen, John Plummer, Samar Aoun, Meg Hegarty, Amy P Abernethy

Published in: BMC Palliative Care | Issue 1/2008

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Abstract

Background

This study examines the prevalence and nature of bereavement help-seeking among the population who experienced an "expected" death in the five years before their survey response. Such whole population data are not limited by identification through previous access to specific services nor practitioners.

Methods

In a randomised, cross-sectional, state-wide population-based survey, 6034 people over two years completed face-to-face interviews in South Australia by trained interviewers using piloted questions (74.2% participation rate). Respondent demographics, type of grief help sought, and circumstantial characteristics were collected. Uni- and multi-variate logistic regression models were created.

Results

One in three people (1965/6034) had experienced an 'expected' death of someone close to them in the last five years. Thirteen per cent sought help for their grief from one or more: friend/family members (10.7%); grief counselors (2.2%); spiritual advisers (1.9%); nurses/doctors (1.5%). Twenty five respondents (1.3%) had not sought, but would have valued help with their grief.
In multi-variate regression modeling, those who sought professional help (3.4% of the bereaved) had provided more intense care (OR 5.39; CI 1.94 to14.98; p < 0.001), identified that they were less able to 'move on' with their lives (OR 7.08; CI 2.49 to 20.13; p = 0.001) and were more likely not to be in full- or part-time work (OR 3.75; CI 2.31 – 11.82; p = 0.024; Nagelkerke's R2 = 0.33).

Conclusion

These data provide a whole-of-population baseline of bereavement help-seeking. The uniquely identified group who wished they had sought help is one where potentially significant health gains could be made as we seek to understand better any improved health outcomes as a result of involving bereavement services.
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Metadata
Title
Bereavement help-seeking following an 'expected' death: a cross-sectional randomised face-to-face population survey
Authors
David C Currow
Katrina Allen
John Plummer
Samar Aoun
Meg Hegarty
Amy P Abernethy
Publication date
01-12-2008
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Palliative Care / Issue 1/2008
Electronic ISSN: 1472-684X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-684X-7-19

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