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. 2008 Dec 20;26(36):5870-6.
doi: 10.1200/JCO.2007.14.6738. Epub 2008 Nov 24.

Unresolved grief in a national sample of bereaved parents: impaired mental and physical health 4 to 9 years later

Patrizia K Lannen  1 , Joanne Wolfe, Holly G Prigerson, Erik Onelov, Ulrika C Kreicbergs
Affiliations

Unresolved grief in a national sample of bereaved parents: impaired mental and physical health 4 to 9 years later

Patrizia K Lannen et al. J Clin Oncol. .

Abstract

Purpose: To assess unresolved parental grief, the associated long-term impact on mental and physical health, and health service use.

Patients and methods: This anonymous, mail-in questionnaire study was performed as a population-based investigation in Sweden between August 2001 and October 2001. Four hundred forty-nine parents who lost a child as a result of cancer 4 to 9 years earlier completed the survey (response rate, 80%). One hundred ninety-one (43%) of the bereaved parents were fathers, and 251 (56%) were mothers. Bereaved parents were asked whether or not, and to what extent, they had worked through their grief. They were also asked about their physical and psychological well-being. For outcomes of interest, we report relative risk (RR) with 95% CIs as well as unadjusted odds ratios and adjusted odds ratios.

Results: Parents with unresolved grief reported significantly worsening psychological health (fathers: RR, 3.6; 95% CI, 2.0 to 6.4; mothers: RR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.9 to 4.4) and physical health (fathers: RR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.8 to 4.4; mothers: RR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.6 to 3.3) compared with those who had worked through their grief. Fathers with unresolved grief also displayed a significantly higher risk of sleep difficulties (RR, 6.7; 95% CI, 2.5 to 17.8). Mothers, however, reported increased visits with physicians during the previous 5 years (RR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1 to 2.6) as well as a greater likelihood of taking sick leave when they had not worked through their grief (RR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2 to 3.5).

Conclusion: Parents who have not worked through their grief are at increased risk of long-term mental and physical morbidity, increased health service use, and increased sick leave.

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Figures

Fig 1.
Fig 1.
Numbers of mothers and fathers who have not worked through their grief over the study period.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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