Professionals' preferences for support systems for the bereaved family

Health-care-related professionals rated the appropriateness and preferred timing of various community intervention strategies for assisting the bereaved individual. Results indicated: (a) agreement about the general need for such assistance programs, but no concensus as to which were most appropriate; (b) endorsement of the "resumption of activity" ethic; (c) belief that the most desirable period in which to intervene is within six months from the death; and (d) the lesser perceived suitability of therapeutic modalities that involve social contact with nonfamily members immediately following the death. Earlier introduction of family therapy and multiple family counseling was advocated by respondents with greater experience treating the bereaved.