Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 24, 2025

Setup and Execution of the Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice Death Notification Curriculum
Published on: August 5, 2020
Exploring the Connection Between End-of-Life Relational Communication and Personal Growth After the Death of a Loved
Mark A Generous1, Maureen P Keeley2
1Department of Communication, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California, United States.
Abstract:
The purpose of the current investigation was to examine associations between final conversations (FCs; i.e., relational communication with a terminally ill individual from the moment of terminal diagnosis to death) with the outcome of personal growth (PG). A total of 236 individuals who had previously engaged in FCs with a deceased loved one participated in an online survey. Analyses revealed significant, positive associations between the six FCs factors (i.e., messages of love, messages of spirituality/religion, messages of identity, everyday talk and routine interactions, difficult relationship talk, and instrumental death talk) with the PG factors. Implications are discussed along with limitations and future directions.
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