BACKGROUND: Sociologists, anthropologists, and psychologists agree that grief is a universal phenomenon. Reactions to it are, however, socially constructed and patterned. OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of bereavement among family or close friends of deceased first-generation black Caribbean and white native-born patients living in the United Kingdom. DESIGN: Comparative cross-sectional questionnaire survey in three inner London health authorities administered 10 months after the patient's death. PARTICIPANTS: Family and close friends of 50 deceased first-generation black Caribbean and 50 native-born white patients with advanced disease. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), Core Bereavement Items scale, a 17-item measure of grief. RESULTS: The intensity of grief, measured using the Core Bereavement Items was similar between the two groups. Seventy-two respondents had visited their family doctor subsequent to bereavement, and of these, black Caribbean respondents reported more psychological problems. Depression and anxiety measured by the GHQ-28 were significantly higher among black Caribbean respondents (28.00 vs. 21.2) (t-test = -2.28, p = 0.025). Multiple regression analysis revealed this difference was best accounted for by bereavement concerns such as legal and housing problems. CONCLUSIONS: This study has observed higher psychological morbidity among the bereaved Caribbean individuals. Family doctors are a source of support for three-quarters of respondents, and they may need to focus on the needs of black and minority ethnic minorities.
BACKGROUND: Sociologists, anthropologists, and psychologists agree that grief is a universal phenomenon. Reactions to it are, however, socially constructed and patterned. OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of bereavement among family or close friends of deceased first-generation black Caribbean and white native-born patients living in the United Kingdom. DESIGN: Comparative cross-sectional questionnaire survey in three inner London health authorities administered 10 months after the patient's death. PARTICIPANTS: Family and close friends of 50 deceased first-generation black Caribbean and 50 native-born white patients with advanced disease. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), Core Bereavement Items scale, a 17-item measure of grief. RESULTS: The intensity of grief, measured using the Core Bereavement Items was similar between the two groups. Seventy-two respondents had visited their family doctor subsequent to bereavement, and of these, black Caribbean respondents reported more psychological problems. Depression and anxiety measured by the GHQ-28 were significantly higher among black Caribbean respondents (28.00 vs. 21.2) (t-test = -2.28, p = 0.025). Multiple regression analysis revealed this difference was best accounted for by bereavement concerns such as legal and housing problems. CONCLUSIONS: This study has observed higher psychological morbidity among the bereaved Caribbean individuals. Family doctors are a source of support for three-quarters of respondents, and they may need to focus on the needs of black and minority ethnic minorities.
Authors: Barbara Gomes; Paul McCrone; Sue Hall; Julia Riley; Jonathan Koffman; Irene J Higginson Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2013-06-08 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Pauline Rivart; Verity Wainwright; Sandra Flynn; Isabelle M Hunt; Jenny Shaw; Shirley Smith; Barry McGale; Sharon McDonnell Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-11-12 Impact factor: 3.390