Underutilization of mental health services among bereaved caregivers with prolonged grief disorder Journal Article

   

Authors:	Lichtenthal, W. G.; Nilsson, M.; Kissane, D. W.; Breitbart, W.; Kacel, E.; Jones, E. C.; Prigerson, H. G.
Article Title:	Underutilization of mental health services among bereaved caregivers with prolonged grief disorder
Abstract:	Objective: This study examined grief and mental health service use among 86 bereaved caregivers of advanced cancer patients. Methods: Caregivers were assessed before (median=3.1 months) and after (median=6.6 months) patients' deaths for prolonged grief disorder, axis I psychiatric disorders, mental health service use, suicidality, and healthrelated quality of life. Results: Sixteen percent of the bereaved sample met criteria for prolonged grief disorder, which was significantly associated with suicidality and poorer health-related quality of life, but not with mental health service use. The majority of bereaved caregivers with prolonged grief disorder did not access men tal health services. In multivariable analyses, having discussed psychological concerns with a health care professional when the patient was ill was the only significant predictor of mental health service use during bereavement. Conclusions: Because bereaved caregivers with prolonged grief disorder underutilize mental health services, connecting them with services while the patient is still alive may be beneficial.
Keywords:	adult; middle aged; young adult; major clinical study; advanced cancer; neoplasms; disease association; quality of life; prediction; questionnaires; health care utilization; adaptation, psychological; interviews as topic; death; longitudinal studies; bereavement; generalized anxiety disorder; major depression; panic; posttraumatic stress disorder; mental disorders; caregiver; energy; grief; prolonged grief disorder; mental health service; caregivers; suicidal ideation; emotional disorder; mental health services; social interaction
Journal Title:	Psychiatric Services
Volume:	62
Issue:	10
ISSN:	1075-2730
Publisher:	American Psychiatric Publishing
Date Published:	2011-10-01
Start Page:	1225
End Page:	1229
Language:	English
DOI:	10.1176/appi.ps.62.10.1225
PROVIDER:	scopus
PUBMED:	21969652
PMCID:	PMC3694810
DOI/URL:	http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-80054855186&partnerID=40&md5=daee6f35bf3fd290352d63dd57f29d47
Notes:	--- - "Export Date: 9 December 2011" - "CODEN: PSSEF" - "Source: Scopus"

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