Grief resolution among the bereaved in hospice and hospital wards

As a study of grief resolution, 71 surviving spouses of patients who had died in a hospice or a hospital acute care oncology ward were interviewed in their homes 6 and 12 months following the death of their mate. It was hypothesized that hospice survivors would score significantly lower on measures of depression and anxiety, would be more involved socially, would be more involved in constructive social action, and would be less likely to use tranquilizers than hospital survivors. At 6 months there is only partial support for the hypotheses. At 12 months there is strong support for the hypotheses. Interpretations of these findings and comparisons with similar studies are discussed.