Jie Li1, Yihua Sun1, Fiona Maccallum2,3, Amy Y M Chow4. 1. Department of Psychology, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China. 2. School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 3. School of Psychology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia. 4. Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The death of a loved one can trigger a range of responses, including painful thoughts and emotions, as well as positive changes, such as post-traumatic growth (PTG). To understand more about the relationship between these outcomes this study explored the co-occurrence of depression, anxiety and PTG among a group of bereaved Chinese adults. METHODS: Data were collected from 194 participants, who had lost a first-degree relative. Latent class analysis was used to analyze the data to identify subgroups of participants with shared symptom profiles. RESULTS: Three classes were identified: a Growth class, a Depression/Anxiety/Growth class and a Depression/Anxiety class. Marital status, social support, close relationship with the deceased and witnessing the suffering of the deceased were identified as differential predictors of class membership. CONCLUSION: The findings contribute to our understanding of the potentially wide ranging impacts of bereavement and highlight the important role of stressor characteristics and support and in influencing impairment and positive outcomes.
BACKGROUND: The death of a loved one can trigger a range of responses, including painful thoughts and emotions, as well as positive changes, such as post-traumatic growth (PTG). To understand more about the relationship between these outcomes this study explored the co-occurrence of depression, anxiety and PTG among a group of bereaved Chinese adults. METHODS: Data were collected from 194 participants, who had lost a first-degree relative. Latent class analysis was used to analyze the data to identify subgroups of participants with shared symptom profiles. RESULTS: Three classes were identified: a Growth class, a Depression/Anxiety/Growth class and a Depression/Anxiety class. Marital status, social support, close relationship with the deceased and witnessing the suffering of the deceased were identified as differential predictors of class membership. CONCLUSION: The findings contribute to our understanding of the potentially wide ranging impacts of bereavement and highlight the important role of stressor characteristics and support and in influencing impairment and positive outcomes.
Authors: Naomi M Simon; Katherine M Shear; Elizabeth H Thompson; Alyson K Zalta; Carol Perlman; Charles F Reynolds; Ellen Frank; Nadine M Melhem; Russell Silowash Journal: Compr Psychiatry Date: 2007-07-05 Impact factor: 3.735