Predicting Complicated Grief in Caregivers of End-of-Life Cancer Patients

ObjectivesPersistent Complex Bereavement Disorder (PCBD) is an independent clinical condition characterized by a severe grief reaction lasting more than twelve months after the loss of a loved one. This study aimed to assess the rate of PCBD among caregivers of end-of-life patients. The secondary aim was to explore the role of several risk factors for PCBD, including psychosocial characteristics of both patients and caregivers, patients' dignity-related distress, attachment style, and perceived social support as well as symptoms of depression, anxiety, and perceived stress of caregivers.MethodsThis was a prospective, multicenter and national study involving twelve Italian palliative care units. The sample consisted of 139 cancer patient-caregiver dyads. For each participant a set of rating scales was administered.ResultsIn line with the literature, only a minority of caregivers experienced PCBD (6.47%). Younger caregiver age and higher pre-loss depression levels significantly predicted PCBD six months after the patient's death.

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Publication Details

Journal
American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®
Published
2025-08-22
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/10499091251371144
Primary Topic
Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health
Type
article
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article

Predicting Complicated Grief in Caregivers of End-of-Life Cancer Patients

Francesco Pace, Roberta Bastita, Marco-Johannes Battista, Francesco Oliva et al.
American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®
Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health
article

Predicting Complicated Grief in Caregivers of End-of-Life Cancer Patients

Francesco Pace, Roberta Bastita, Marco-Johannes Battista, Francesco Oliva, Alessandra Loreta Cito, Paolo Borghetti, Irene Di Girolamo, Letizia Iannopollo, Valentina Bordino, Maria Rosaria Perrini, Andrea Bovero, Selene Bruccheri, Carmela Savoca, Chiara Lamannis, Melania Spatola
article en

Abstract

ObjectivesPersistent Complex Bereavement Disorder (PCBD) is an independent clinical condition characterized by a severe grief reaction lasting more than twelve months after the loss of a loved one. This study aimed to assess the rate of PCBD among caregivers of end-of-life patients. The secondary aim was to explore the role of several risk factors for PCBD, including psychosocial characteristics of both patients and caregivers, patients' dignity-related distress, attachment style, and perceived social support as well as symptoms of depression, anxiety, and perceived stress of caregivers.MethodsThis was a prospective, multicenter and national study involving twelve Italian palliative care units. The sample consisted of 139 cancer patient-caregiver dyads. For each participant a set of rating scales was administered.ResultsIn line with the literature, only a minority of caregivers experienced PCBD (6.47%). Younger caregiver age and higher pre-loss depression levels significantly predicted PCBD six months after the patient's death.

American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®
University of Catania (IT), Azienda Ospedaliera Citta' della Salute e della Scienza di Torino (IT), Ospedale di Rivoli (IT), Ospedale Garibaldi (IT), Ospedale di Santo Spirito (IT), Istituto Oncologico Veneto (IT), Azienda Sanitaria Locale di Asti (IT), Regione Puglia (IT), Presidio Ospedaliero (IT), Azienda Sanitaria Locale Alessandria (IT), Hospice UK (GB), Domus Medica (BE), University of Turin (IT)
Openalex Percentile: Top 70%
Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health
DOISourceOpenAlex
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