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“It is the ‘starting over’ part that is so hard”: Using an online group to support hospice bereavement

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 February 2014

Elaine Wittenberg-Lyles ,
Karla Washington ,
Debra Parker Oliver ,
Sara Shaunfield ,
L. Ashley Gage ,
Megan Mooney  and
Alexandria Lewis
Elaine Wittenberg-Lyles*
Affiliation:
Division of Nursing Research and Education, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California
Karla Washington
Affiliation:
Curtis W. and Ann H. Long Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
Debra Parker Oliver
Affiliation:
Curtis W. and Ann H. Long Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
Sara Shaunfield
Affiliation:
Department of Communication, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
L. Ashley Gage
Affiliation:
Curtis W. and Ann H. Long Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
Megan Mooney
Affiliation:
Curtis W. and Ann H. Long Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
Alexandria Lewis
Affiliation:
Curtis W. and Ann H. Long Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Elaine Wittenberg-Lyles, Division of Nursing Research and Education, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010. E-mail: elyles@coh.org.
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Abstract

Objective:

Although hospice agencies are required to provide informal caregivers (family or friends of the patient) with formal bereavement support when their loved one passes, most bereavement interventions lack standardization and remain untested. We employed the Dual Processing Model of Bereavement as a theoretical framework for assessing the potential of a secret Facebook group for bereaved hospice caregivers.

Method:

A mixed-methods approach was utilized to analyze online communication (posts and comments) in the secret Facebook group, and self-reported outcome measures on depression and anxiety were compared pre- and post-intervention.

Results:

Sixteen caregivers participated in the secret Facebook group over a period of nine months. The majority of online talk was oriented to restoration, revealing abrupt and anticipated triggers that evoked feelings of loss. Caregivers also shared loss orientation through storytelling, sharing and giving advice, and encouraging others to manage the challenges of coping. Caregiver anxiety and depression were lower after the intervention.

Significance of Results:

This pilot study provides insight into the use of a secret Facebook group to facilitate bereavement support to caregivers. Findings highlight the promise of Facebook for hospice bereavement support. Providers and researchers are encouraged to explore the positive outcomes associated with bereavement support.

Keywords

InternetBereavementCaregiversHospice
Type
Original Articles
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 13 , Issue 2 , April 2015 , pp. 351 - 357
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

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