Day patient treatment for traumatic grief: preliminary evaluation of a one-year treatment programme for patients with multiple and traumatic losses

Heus, Annemiek de; Hengst, Sophie M. C.; Rie, Simone M. de la; Djelantik, A. A. A. Manik J.; Boelen, Paul A.; Smid, Geert E.

doi:10.1080/20008198.2017.1375335

Cited by 16 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…People who are bereaved following suicide or euthanasia due to mental illness may face culturally dependent social disapproval that may negatively influence meaning attribution (Wagner et al, 2011). Studies are therefore necessary to optimize the care for relatives and bereaved survivors (de Keijser, Snijdewind, Casteelen, & Smid, 2020;Smid & Casteelen, 2018). Qualitative interviews combined with quantitative measures may be used to map how life partners of people with mental illness who died due to suicide or euthanasia experienced the period of illness and death of their partner.…”

Section: Specialist Carementioning

confidence: 99%

A framework of meaning attribution following loss

Smid

2020

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

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The loss of a loved one causes the world and the place of the bereaved survivor in it to change irreversibly. A key aspect of the grieving process is the integration of the loss in the bereaved survivor's life story, identity change, and a new future orientation through meaning attribution. Meaning attribution can have favourable or unfavourable effects on the grieving process and hence determines the extent to which a loss disrupts the bereaved survivor's functioning. A framework of meaning attribution after loss is presented, comprising 17 determinants that fall into five categories: event-related, cultural, social, individual and relational determinants. Each determinant may lead to both positive and negative meanings, thereby facilitating or complicating the grieving process. The framework of meaning attribution highlights the importance of an integrated network for mental health care, spiritual care, and end-of-life care in the prevention and treatment of traumatic grief. It also emphasizes the support from relatives, collective rituals, cultural views, legal settlements, and other societal factors that may foster or impede adaptation to loss. The framework of meaning attribution informs research across a range of research themes, including specialist care for traumatic grief, a culturally sensitive care network for traumatic grief, and improving care for ambiguous loss in a global context.

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Section: Specialist Carementioning

confidence: 99%

A framework of meaning attribution following loss

Smid

2020

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

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“…However, unexpected and violent losses and the loss of close kin (partner or child) have been associated with substantially higher rates of psychopathology than anticipated and non-violent losses and losses other than close kin (16,17). In a recent study, it was shown that the symptom network of PCBD is closely associated with the symptom networks of PTSD and depression (9), sometimes labeled together as "traumatic grief" (18,19). Nevertheless, treatments of mental disorders following violent loss focusing both on PTSD and PCBD at the same time are scant and have not been evaluated in refugee samples yet (18,20).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a recent study, it was shown that the symptom network of PCBD is closely associated with the symptom networks of PTSD and depression (9), sometimes labeled together as "traumatic grief" (18,19). Nevertheless, treatments of mental disorders following violent loss focusing both on PTSD and PCBD at the same time are scant and have not been evaluated in refugee samples yet (18,20). In a first study with a naturalistic design among 16 consecutive patients, a treatment program for traumatic grief for refugees was found feasible and coincided with significant declines in PTSD symptoms (18).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Post-Migration Stressors and Their Association With Symptom Reduction and Non-Completion During Treatment for Traumatic Grief in Refugees

et al. 2020

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Background: Resettled refugees exposed to trauma and loss are at risk to develop mental disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and persistent complex bereavement disorder (PCBD). Post-migration stressors have been linked to poor mental health and smaller treatment effects. Aim: Our aim was to evaluate reductions in PTSD and PCBD symptoms and to explore the presence of post-migration stressors and their associations with symptom change and non-completion in a traumatic grief focused treatment in a cohort of refugees. Methods: Paired sample t-tests were used to test the significance of the symptom reductions in PTSD and PCBD symptoms during treatment. The presence of postmigration stressors was derived from a qualitative analysis of the patient files. Associations between post-migration stressors and symptom reductions as well as non-completion were calculated. Results: In this uncontrolled study, 81 files of consecutive patients were included. Significant reductions in both PCBD and PTSD symptomatology with medium effect sizes were found. Patients experienced a mean of three different post-migration stressors during the treatment. Undocumented asylum seekers were more likely to be noncompleters. Ongoing conflict in the country of origin was associated with smaller PTSD symptom reductions and the total number of post-migration stressors was associated with smaller PCBD symptom reductions. Conclusions: Treatment for resettled refugees for traumatic grief coincides with alleviations in both PCBD and PTSD symptomatology. Specific post-migration stressors were associated with reduced treatment effects and increased non

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“…This treatment consists of group treatment and individual treatment and includes elements from CBT and brief eclectic psychotherapy (Smid et al, 2015 ). Because we systematically register complaints during treatment, we now know that approximately half of the people who struggled with serious PCBD and PTSD at the start of their treatment no longer do so at the end of the day care program (De Heus, Hengst, De la Rie, Boelen, & Smid, submitted for publication). By continuing to monitor changes in symptoms with new patients, we can eventually investigate which participants do and do not benefit, and which elements of the program are more and less helpful.…”

Section: Clinical Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

Improving the understanding and treatment of complex grief: an important issue for psychotraumatology

Boelen

2016

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

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In the Netherlands, every year 500,000 people are confronted with the death of a close relative. Many of these people experience little emotional distress. In some, bereavement precipitates severe grief, distress, and dysphoria. A small yet significant minority of bereaved individuals develops persistent and debilitating symptoms of persistent complex bereavement disorder (PCBD) (also termed prolonged grief disorder), posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression. Knowledge about early identification of, and preventive care for complex grief has increased. Moreover, in recent years there has been an increase in treatment options for people for whom loss leads to persistent psychological problems. That said, preventive and curative treatments are effective for some, but not all bereaved individuals experiencing distress and dysfunction following loss. This necessitates further research on the development, course, and treatment of various stages of complex grief, including PCBD.Highlights of the article“Complex grief” is an informal term referring to debilitating, non-normative grief.It will likely be named Prolonged Grief Disorder in the forthcoming ICD-11.It is named Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder in DSM-5.Research on the development, course, and treatment of complex grief is needed.This research should address different stages and manifestations of complex grief.

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Day patient treatment for traumatic grief: preliminary evaluation of a one-year treatment programme for patients with multiple and traumatic losses

Cited by 16 publications

References 35 publications

A framework of meaning attribution following loss

A framework of meaning attribution following loss

Post-Migration Stressors and Their Association With Symptom Reduction and Non-Completion During Treatment for Traumatic Grief in Refugees

Improving the understanding and treatment of complex grief: an important issue for psychotraumatology

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