In:
PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science (PLoS), Vol. 17, No. 11 ( 2022-11-29), p. e0278271-
Abstract:
Before the loss of a loved one to cancer, relatives have time to adapt to the impending death. However, due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, adjustment to an imminent death may be more difficult. This study investigates factors related to pre-loss grief and preparedness during the COVID-19 pandemic and their relationship with COVID-19 related fears. Methods Data of 299 participants from a cross-sectional study was used. Participants were included if they were relatives of people with cancer, spoke German and were at least 18 years. Multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted to measure the relationship between predictors (dysfunctional coping, emotion-focused coping, problem-focused coping, attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance, COVID-19 related fears, prognosis, perceived depth of the relationship, perceived conflict in the relationship, health status) and pre-loss grief, preparedness for caregiving and preparedness for death as the dependent variables. Results Perceived depth (β = .365, p 〈 .001), COVID-19 related fears (β = .141, p = .002), prognosis for death (β = .241, p 〈 .001), dysfunctional coping strategies (β = .281, p 〈 .001) and emotion-focused coping strategies (β = -.320, p 〈 .001) significantly predicted pre-loss grief. Prognosis for death (β = .347, p 〈 .001), dysfunctional coping strategies (β = -.229, p 〈 .001), emotion-focused coping strategies (β = .242, p 〈 .001), COVID-19 related fears (β = -.112, p = .037) and health status (β = .123, p = .025) significantly predicted preparedness for death. Dysfunctional coping (β = -.147, p = .009), problem-focused coping (β = .162, p = .009), emotion-focused coping (β = .148, p = .017), COVID-19 related fears (β = -.151, p = .006), attachment anxiety (β = -.169, p = .003), perceived conflict in the relationship with the patient with cancer (β = -.164, p = .004), perceived depth in the relationship (β = .116, p = .048) and health status (β = .157, p = .003) significantly predicted preparedness for caregiving. Conclusions This study shows COVID-19 pandemic impacts on the grieving process of relatives of patients with cancer. Consequently, screening for pre-loss grief, preparedness and their associated factors may help provide early support for relatives of people with cancer at need. However, further research is needed to help understand the stability of pre-loss grief and preparedness.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1932-6203
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0278271
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0278271.t001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0278271.t002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0278271.t003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0278271.s001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0278271.s002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0278271.s003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0278271.s004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0278271.s005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0278271.s006
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0278271.s007
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0278271.s008
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0278271.s009
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0278271.r001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0278271.r002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0278271.r003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0278271.r004
Language:
English
Publisher:
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Date:
2022
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2267670-3
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