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Assessing grief and bereavement: observations from the field
Marion J Michalski1, Lauren C Vanderwerker, Holly G Prigerson
1Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
Omega
|September 20, 2007
Summary
The Yale Bereavement Study
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Bereavement is a significant life event with potential mental health implications.
- Longitudinal studies are crucial for understanding the long-term effects of grief.
- The Yale Bereavement Study (YBS) aimed to explore these impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the evaluation methods used in the Yale Bereavement Study (YBS).
- To qualitatively assess the impact of the YBS assessment process on participants.
- To explore potential applications of a modified YBS in research and clinical settings.
Main Methods:
- A three-year longitudinal study (2000-2003) funded by NIMH and NCI.
- Inclusion of quantitative and qualitative questions for participants.
- Qualitative analysis of participant experiences with the assessment process.
Main Results:
- The YBS assessment process was found to be helpful and not harmful to participants.
- Participants could describe recent losses, rate past losses, and assess life situations.
- The study provided insights into the respondent's experience of grief assessment.
Conclusions:
- The YBS assessment itself may offer therapeutic benefits.
- A modified YBS could be valuable for both research and clinical practice in bereavement.
- Further research is warranted to explore the clinical utility of bereavement assessments.
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