Funded by: NIH, NCNR 1R01NR02108-01A2 1991-1994
The purpose of this research is to evaluate postvention during the
bereavement process of widows and widowers whose spouse died of
suicide. The specific aims are to (1) evaluate the efficacy of two
nursing postvention programs: the Bereavement Group Postvention
(BGP) in contrast with the Social Group Postvention (SGP) on the
level of depression, psychological distress, resolution of grief,
and social readjustment as measured by the Beck Depression
Inventory (BDI), and Grief Experience Inventory (GEI), the Brief
Symptom Inventory (BSI), and the Social Adjust Scale (SAS), (2)
describe the early (1-28) months after spouses' suicide
psychological status of widows and widowers age 24 and older (who
volunteer for postvention as measured by the BDI, and GEI, the BSL,
and the SAS; and (3) describe the sociodemographic status of widows
and widowers age 24 and older whose spouse died of suicide (who
volunteer for postvention) including age, sex, race, religion,
education, income, and duration of marriage.
While much has been written about suicide prevention and
intervention, little attention has been focused on postvention
despite knowledge that postvention probably represents the largest
problem area needing attention. Levels of depression will be
measured by the BDI, levels of psychological distress, grief, and
grief resolution will be measured by the GEI and the BSI and levels
of social adjustment will be measured by the SAS.
The following hypotheses will be tested:
1. There will be a statistically significant difference between
the effects of BGP and SGP on levels of depression, psychological
distress, resolution of grief and social readjustment immediately
post treatment, six months post treatment, or 12 months post
treatment.
2. The change in levels of depression, psychological distress,
resolution of grief and social adjustment will be maintained over
one year from the post treatment period in BGP subjects as
contrasted with the SGP subjects.
Descriptive statistics (e.g., means, standard deviations,
percentages) will be calculated, as appropriate, for each outcome
measure at baseline, and at each follow-up timepoint. Comparisons
between the groups at baseline will be performed using t-tests for
normally distributed data. Non-parametric tests such as the
Wilcoxon test or chi-square test of association will be used for
data which cannot be transformed to be normally distributed. These
analyses will document the success of randomization, and identity
variables which may need to be adjusted in the analyses of outcome
measures.
If post treatment, the BGP and SGP differ in the decrease in levels
of depression, psychological distress, grief resolution, and in the
increase in levels of social adjustment or that the BGP is found to
be more effective than the SGP, this suggests that a
psychotherapeutic treatment group focused on coping may be planned
for survivors of suicide. If however, both groups do not differ,
than survivors of suicide may be able to select the type of group
intervention favorable and therapeutic to them. Those survivors of
suicide who may have negative attitudes about group intervention or
group therapy because of the label, may elect for a social group
Postvention. SGP could be included into the general services for
widows and widowers who survive the suicide of a spouse.
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Research Data
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| Ending
Year:
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1994 |
| Design:
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| Study
Type:
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Funded-Government |
| Theoretical
Framework:
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Roy Adaptation Model |
| Description
of Sample:
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| Sample
Size:
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| Number
of Groups:
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| Sampling
Plan:
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none |
| Gender:
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Male |
| Minimum
Age:
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| Maximum
Age:
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| Data
Collection Settings(s):
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Communities |
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Question:
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Analysis:
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Data Analysis Method:
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Statistical Value:
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P Value:
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Findings Narrative:
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Clinical Significance:
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Primary Investigator
Rose E. Constantino, PhD
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P.I. Institution Name
University of Pittsburgh
Title
Associate Professor
Contact Address
School of Nursing, 3500 Victoria Street, Room 415
Pittsburgh, PA, 15261
USA
Contact E-mail
rc0100+@pitt.edu
Contact Telephone
412.624.2063
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Secondary Investigators
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