Duelo Complicado Factores de Riesgo, Intervenciones y Recursos para Enfermeras de Oncologia (ING)
Duelo Complicado Factores de Riesgo, Intervenciones y Recursos para Enfermeras de Oncologia (ING)
Duelo Complicado Factores de Riesgo, Intervenciones y Recursos para Enfermeras de Oncologia (ING)
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Risk factors, interventions, and resources for oncology nurses
Cindy S. Tofthagen, PhD, ARNP, AOCNP®, FAANP, FAAN, Kevin Kip, PhD, FAHA, Ann Witt, MS, LMHC, NCC, and Susan C. McMillan, PhD, ARNP, FAAN
BACKGROUND: When a loved one dies of cancer, GRIEF IS PART OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE and a normal reaction to the death of
complicated grief (CG) may occur because of the a loved one. Although the pain of loss may never completely subside, most
trauma associated with family caregivers’ percep- individuals adjust to life without the deceased and develop a new sense
tions of their loved one’s suffering, either from of normalcy over time. For others, the grief process becomes prolonged.
advanced cancer or from side effects of cancer Individuals who have difficulty accepting the death and assimilating into life
treatment. without the deceased experience what is known as complicated grief (CG),
or prolonged grief disorder (Shear, 2010).
OBJECTIVES: This article provides an overview of CG may occur in as many as 40% of family caregivers who lose a close
CG and existing interventions for family caregivers family member to cancer (Guldin, Vedsted, Zachariae, Olesen, & Jensen,
who may be at risk for CG following the loss of a 2012). For some, symptoms of CG can occur before the patient dies when
loved one and the implications for oncology nurs- family members are struggling to accept the cancer diagnosis and impending
es who provide emotional support and guidance. death (Tomarken et al., 2008). CG disproportionately affects older adults,
with more than 25% of older adults experiencing CG, compared to only
METHODS: Current evidence related to the 5%–7% of the general population (Newson, Boelen, Hek, Hofman, & Tiemeier,
treatment of CG and information to assist with 2011; Shear, 2010). CG is associated with numerous psychological problems,
identification of individuals at risk for CG are pre- including loneliness, social isolation, anxiety, clinical depression, cognitive
sented, as well as resources for oncology nurses impairment, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Ghesquiere, Shear,
who encounter individuals who are at high risk for, & Duan, 2013; Shear, Ghesquiere, & Glickman, 2013). Compounded losses of
or who are experiencing, CG. multiple close family members and friends, increased likelihood that the de-
ceased will be a spouse or partner, and financial burdens associated with the
FINDINGS: Although therapy interventions for loss may lead to a higher incidence of CG among older adults (Ghesquiere et
CG have been shown to be effective forms of al., 2013; Newson et al., 2011).
treatment, these therapies are not widely available Oncology nurses often form close relationships with patients and their
and often require an extended treatment period family caregivers, both of whom depend on them for guidance and emotional
to yield results. Oncology nurses can provide support during cancer treatment (Guldin et al., 2012). Therefore, oncology
early interventions, such as referrals to supportive nurses are positioned to direct family caregivers to appropriate grief services,
care services and mental health professionals to as well as to deliver continued emotional support and guidance. This article
facilitate effective treatment. provides information to assist with identifying individuals at risk for CG, dis-
cusses current evidence related to treatment for CG, and provides resources
for oncology nurses who encounter individuals who are at high risk for, or
who are experiencing, CG.
Risk Factors
KEYWORDS Although anyone can experience CG, certain risk factors may elevate the like-
grief; family caregivers; patient education; lihood of CG occurring. Manifestations of CG include (a) intense longing;
end-of-life care; integrative therapies (b) loneliness, emptiness, or lack of meaning in life; (c) recurring thoughts
of wanting to join the deceased; and (d) intrusive thoughts about the de-
DIGITAL OBJECT IDENTIFIER ceased that interfere with functioning (Shear et al., 2011). Individual signs
10.1188/17.CJON.331-337 and symptoms of CG also may include feelings of guilt over the death; con-
stantly replaying the circumstances of the death in their mind; imagining
that they could have somehow prevented the death if they had
done something differently; and feeling numb, shocked, or in
disbelief over the death. The nature of the relationship to the
“Grief is a culture-
deceased, personality traits, coping style, psychiatric history and
comorbidities, and socioeconomic factors all contribute to the
bound experience
risk of CG. that occurs within
Relational Factors
The closer the relationship to the deceased, the more likely it
an individual’s
is that the individual will experience CG. Spouses and parents
are particularly vulnerable to symptoms of CG. Spouses may be
social-cultural
highly inter-dependent on each other and share a close relation-
ship and a lifetime commitment. Widowed parents with young
environment.”
children may face additional stressors that can lead to depression
and increased psychological distress (Yopp, Park, Edwards, Deal,
& Rosenstein, 2015). Because parents normally do not expect a ment styles are also prone to prolonged emotional distress and
child to precede them in death, feelings of guilt and existential display maladaptive avoidant behavior, causing them to suppress
suffering may ensue. Older adults may experience multiple losses emotions that could result in psychosomatic symptoms (Mancini
in a short period of time that compound grief and delay recovery et al., 2015).
(Newson et al., 2011). The negative cognitions associated with the previously men-
tioned attachment styles create beliefs of not being able to live
Personality Traits and Coping Style without the deceased individual, feeling worthless without the
Personality plays a key role in how an individual grieves, in- presence of the deceased person, and feeling like life no longer
ternalizes the grief, and integrates understanding and mean- has meaning (Boelen et al., 2006). These negative cognitions
ing about the loss of a loved one (Piper, Ogrodniczuk, Joyce, & cause bereaved individuals to dwell on their loss rather than to
Weideman, 2011). An individual’s psychological adjustment pro- focus on problem- or emotion-specific solutions (Mancini et al.,
cess, combined with attachment style and coping capability, can 2015). Negative cognitions play a significant role in prolonging
help determine whether he or she is at a higher or lower risk emotional distress and serve as the target for therapeutic inter-
of experiencing symptoms of CG (Piper et al., 2011). Although ventions to help bereaved individuals dispute and restructure
more well-adjusted individuals would be expected to cope bet- their maladaptive thoughts and beliefs (Boelen et al., 2006;
ter with grief and loss, the literature does not clearly support Piper et al., 2011). Behavioral interventions that support the
this relationship (Mancini, Sinan, & Bonanno, 2015; Piper et al., lessening of negative cognitions and avoidant behaviors serve
2011). Personality traits identified as correlates for poorer coping as protective factors in resolving grief and loss (Mancini et al.,
strategies and prolonged emotional distress include anxiety, in- 2015).
security, lower levels of self-esteem, and higher levels of negative Individuals who experience CG during their bereavement
cognition (Boelen, van den Bout, & van den Hout, 2006; Piper et tend to exhibit greater dependency behaviors, focus primarily
al., 2011). on negative cognitions about the deceased, are highly emotion-
Despite inconclusive research regarding a causal relationship al, experience a greater degree of loneliness, and hold negative
between personality and severity of grief, personality does fac- perceptions about the support they will receive if they reach out
tor into the level of distress some individuals experience when to others for help (Boelen et al., 2006; Mancini et al., 2015; Piper
dealing with grief and the length of time required for the grief et al., 2011). Individuals who demonstrate greater levels of resil-
symptoms to resolve (Piper et al., 2011). The literature presents a ience during their bereavement hold a more favorable view of the
compelling argument that an individual’s level of worry and anx- support they can expect from others, rely more on their support
iety, along with his or her attachment style, plays a role in the systems, openly share their feelings, and worry less about avail-
ability to effectively adapt after a loss (Schenck, Eberle, & Rings, able support when needed (Mancini et al., 2015).
2015). For example, securely attached individuals tend to adapt Additional protective factors that lead to more adaptive be-
and resolve their grief more effectively than those with a more reavement include spiritual and religious practices or rituals,
anxious attachment style (Piper et al., 2011). Those with higher prior adaptive psychological well-being, personal and financial
anxiety-related attachment styles may experience difficulty mov- control, and no co-occurring losses (Mancini et al., 2015; Piper
ing through the grief process, managing emotions, and adjusting et al., 2011). These protective factors predict less negative cogni-
after a loss (Piper et al., 2011). Individuals with anxious attach- tion and higher rates of perceived wellness (Boelen et al., 2006).
that psychosocial support is effective in preventing or treating CG A 2011 meta-analysis of interventions for CG, which pooled
(Ghesquiere et al., 2015). Because bereavement programs are wide- data from 14 randomized, controlled trials testing interventions
ly available and facilitated by mental health professionals, they may to prevent or treat CG, determined that treatment of CG sig-
be helpful in identifying individuals who require treatment for CG. nificantly improved grief-related symptoms, whereas preven-
Despite an abundance of hospice and palliative care programs tion interventions have not demonstrated consistent efficacy
offering support groups and counseling for grieving individuals, (Wittouck et al., 2011). The studies of CG interventions pre-
only a small percentage of people use these services (Steiner, sented in the meta-analysis were published from 1990–2007
2006). Online groups offer similar benefits, increased access, and included studies of cognitive behavioral therapy, individ-
and lower associated costs (Lubas & De Leo, 2014) which may ual interpersonal therapy, and a combination of the two (see
encourage usage. However, healthcare providers have expressed Figure 1). The interventions ranged in length from 12–20 weeks
concerns about the safety, oversight, and confidentiality of online and were conducted by trained mental health counselors and
programs (Lubas & De Leo, 2014; Wells, Mitchell, Finkelhor, & therapists.
Becker-Blease, 2007). Katherine Shear, MD, a faculty physician in the School of
Early palliative care interventions for family caregivers, deliv- Social Work at Columbia University, has been instrumental in
ered by advanced practice nurses via telephone while the patient moving the science of grief therapy forward. Shear and her re-
is in advanced stages of malignancy, may reduce depression and search team developed a 16-session psychotherapeutic interven-
CG, but require further study (Dionne-Odom et al., 2016). A writ- tion for individuals with CG that has demonstrated efficacy in
ing intervention, called Finding Balance, allows bereaved care- three large randomized, controlled trials involving more than
givers of patients with cancer to reflect, process emotions, and 600 participants (Shear et al., 2014, 2016; Shear, Frank, Houck,
find balance through specific writing activities (Holtslander et al., & Reynolds, 2005). The Complicated Grief Treatment interven-
2016). These promising new interventions, developed and evalu- tion is a structured psychotherapy program, designed to be im-
ated by nurse scientists, aim to guide nursing practice in specific plemented by licensed mental health professionals (Shear et al.,
interventions to alleviate grief; however, more research is needed 2014). Complicated Grief Treatment has also demonstrated effi-
to evaluate their effectiveness in CG. cacy in a group setting, which affords a more economical option
and higher access to treatment (Supiano & Luptak, 2014).
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