How Do Risk Factors For Complicated Grief Identified Before Death Contribute To Outcomes For The Bereaved?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$137,000.00
Summary
By identifying if complicated grief risk factors lead to complicated grief after the death of a loved one, early intervention can be targeted to maximize benefit. This study will consult bereaved individuals before and after the death to assess protective and risk factors associated with complicated grief outcomes. Complicated grief is poorly understood, yet research has shown that it is associated with poorer mental and physical health. The findings are expected to be relevant to bereavement se ....By identifying if complicated grief risk factors lead to complicated grief after the death of a loved one, early intervention can be targeted to maximize benefit. This study will consult bereaved individuals before and after the death to assess protective and risk factors associated with complicated grief outcomes. Complicated grief is poorly understood, yet research has shown that it is associated with poorer mental and physical health. The findings are expected to be relevant to bereavement services, and have significance locally and abroad.Read moreRead less
Stillbirth is a global public health problem. In Australia, almost 3,000 stillbirths occur each year and death places a significant psychological burden on parents, families and caregivers. The community impacts through social and economic costs are also substantial. Many stillbirths are preventable with known and novel interventions. Through a CRE dedicated to stillbirth, we aim to strengthen our collaborations locally and internationally, and reduce stillbirth, and improve care for parents.
In Australia, over 2,000 families every year have a stillborn child. Each of these deaths places a heavy psychological and financial burden on parents and families and the wider community. Progress in preventing these deaths has been very slow and despite the impact of this loss, the care provided for parents following a stillbirth is often inadequate. I am leading a national research program to reduce stillbirth and improve care for parents when their child is stillborn.
Following bereavement, 10%-15% of people suffer prolonged grief (PG) that can cause mental and physical problems for many years. This project will study community and treatment-seeking samples of bereaved people to identify trajectories of grieving, predictors of responding across time, and identify mechanisms of change in treatment of PG. This project represents a significant advance in our understanding of PG and will help reduce the burden of this condition.
Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) is a debilitating psychological condition that affects at least 10% of bereaved people. There is limited knowledge on treating PGD. At present only 50% of affected people benefit from the treatment of choice. This project will test an augmented treatment that attempts to increase the efficacy of treatment for bereaved people suffering PGD. This program will shape more effective programs for assisting the 100's of thousands of Australians who suffer PGD.
Strengthening Community Based Paliative Care Services: Towards A Better Understanding Of Medical Aspects Of Caring For C
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$68,892.00
Summary
Caring for children [and their families] in the palliative phase of an illness offers unique challenges. Community based palliative care programs provide a predominantly adult focused service, their experience with children being limited by smaller numbers. This study aims to better characterize the medical aspects of caring for terminally ill children in Australia, thru the use of a parental survey in a large representative cohort at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne (RCH). The focus wil ....Caring for children [and their families] in the palliative phase of an illness offers unique challenges. Community based palliative care programs provide a predominantly adult focused service, their experience with children being limited by smaller numbers. This study aims to better characterize the medical aspects of caring for terminally ill children in Australia, thru the use of a parental survey in a large representative cohort at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne (RCH). The focus will be to identify issues relating to symptom assessment and management, family and caregiver support and psychosocial-bereavement support. The knowledge gained will be used to redesign-strengthen links between paediatric hospitals and community based palliative care programs.Read moreRead less