Bereavement Help-Seeking After Expected Deaths
Author Information
Author(s): David C Currow, Katrina Allen, John Plummer, Samar Aoun, Meg Hegarty, Amy P Abernethy
Primary Institution: Flinders University
Hypothesis
There would be no factors helping to identify people who sought help compared to those who did not after experiencing a recent 'expected' death.
Conclusion
The study provides a baseline of bereavement help-seeking, highlighting a group that wishes they had sought help, indicating potential health gains from improved bereavement services.
Supporting Evidence
- One in three people had experienced an 'expected' death in the last five years.
- Thirteen percent sought help for their grief from various sources.
- 84.8% of the bereaved did not identify that they had sought help.
Takeaway
This study looked at how many people ask for help after someone they love dies from an illness they expected. It found that many people don't ask for help, even though they might need it.
Methodology
A randomised, cross-sectional, state-wide population-based survey with face-to-face interviews.
Potential Biases
Potential under-representation of certain demographics, such as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.
Limitations
The study did not capture the experiences of people from communities with less than 1000 people and excluded caregivers who died before the survey.
Participant Demographics
Average age of bereaved was 45.3 years, 48.5% were male, and 15% were close relatives of the deceased.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
CI 1.94 to 14.98
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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