Examining Posttraumatic Growth Among Bereaved Family Members of Patients With Cancer Who Received Palliative Care at Home

Abstract

Objective:

The present study examines the factor structure of the Japanese version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI-J) among bereaved family members who lost loved ones to cancer after home-based palliative care in Japan. It evaluates the relationships between total score, each PTGI-J domain, and participants’ having a religious belief, gender, age, relationship to the patient, and time since patient death.

Procedure:

Bereaved family members (n = 849) completed the PTGI-J and a demographic questionnaire. The factor structure was tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and univariate analysis was used to test hypotheses.

Results:

Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the current sample moderately fitted to both 4-factor and 5-factor models. Univariate analysis revealed that having a religious belief and gender were associated with all domains and total PTGI-J score. Age, time since patient death, and relationship to the patient showed significant differences with the domains of PTGI-J.

Conclusion:

Clinicians may be able to adjust the support they provide based on patients’ personal characteristics. Future research should look at the mechanisms of PTG by examining the role of rumination, social support, and emotional distress among bereaved family members of patients with cancer.

Keywords

posttraumatic growth bereavement family hospice at home palliative care cancer

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