CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE DEATH OF A LOVED ONE AND ADAPTATION TO BEREAVEMENT

Abstract

Circumstances surrounding the death of a loved one can affect surviving family members’ bereavement experience. Those who believe their loved one had a ‘good death’ (e.g., death was a relief, expected) may experience better bereavement outcomes than those who were dissatisfied with their loved one’s death experience. This study examined: (1) pre-death factors associated with caregivers’ perceptions about the circumstances surrounding their care recipients’ death; and (2) whether a better perception of death is associated with indicators of adaptation to bereavement. Participants included 89 informal caregivers (CG) aged 32 - 87 years (M = 63 years) who experienced the death of their care recipient shortly after placing him/her in a long-term care facility. Pre-death measurements included sociodemographic characteristics, depression, and preparedness for death. Post-death measurements (approximately 3 months post-death) included circumstances surrounding death, restorative health behaviors, and complicated grief. A multivariate regression model showed that CGs who were White and CGs who felt more prepared prior to death perceived better circumstances surrounding their loved one’s death. CGs who perceived better circumstances surrounding their loved one’s death engaged in more restorative health behaviors post-death and reported fewer symptoms of complicated grief. These findings suggest that a better perception of death facilitates behavioral and psychological adaptation to bereavement. These findings raise questions about the specific circumstances surrounding death that may facilitate adaption to bereavement and whether healthcare providers can improve CGs perceptions of a ‘good death’, possibly by preparing them for the death of their loved one.