Ann Geriatr Med Res.  2018 Jun;22(2):94-97. 10.4235/agmr.2018.22.2.94.

Effect of a Brief Family-Based Treatment on Complicated Grief in Bereaved Older Adults

• Nam I

• KMID: 2439096
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4235/agmr.2018.22.2.94

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The current study compared the effectiveness of family-based complicated grief therapy with individual-based complicated grief therapy on improvement in complicated grief symptoms of bereaved older adults.
METHODS
Two community senior centers referred 29 older adults who lost their spouses. The study used a single-blinded randomized trial design, comparing family-based complicated grief therapy with individual-based complicated grief therapy on complicated grief symptoms and social impairment.
RESULTS
Relative to individual-based complicated grief therapy, participants in the family-based complicated grief therapy group demonstrated improvement in social impairments and complicated grief symptoms.
CONCLUSION
The findings suggest that a family-based delivery model for complicated grief may be superior to an individually provided approach in reducing complicated grief symptoms, and in improving work and social functions in bereavement.

Keyword

Bereavement; Family research; Grief; Therapy

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Bereavement
Grief*
Humans
Senior Centers
Spouses