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Schneider S, Livingston TN, Elliott L, Chrzanowski L, Abu-Samaha A, Singer J. Feelings of Empowerment Scale for Family Caregivers: Development, Exploratory, and Confirmative Analysis. Clin Gerontol 2024:1-17. [PMID: 39263858 DOI: 10.1080/07317115.2024.2399588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to validate a measure of feelings of empowerment among family caregivers of persons with life limiting illnesses. METHODS Family caregivers (N = 295) completed a survey on their feelings of empowerment and psychosocial constructs. RESULTS Utilizing exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, the study validated the Empowerment in the Context of Caregiving scale, revealing a two-factor structure related to influencing the care recipient and controlling personal outcomes, with high reliability and validity. Convergent validity was supported by a strong association with an established measure of power. Discriminant validity was demonstrated through weak associations with theoretically less relevant constructs, confirming the scale's validity. CONCLUSIONS This scale provides a reliable tool to identify feelings of disempowerment among caregivers, with implications for theory and practice. Future research should explore predictive validity and consider cultural factors to enhance its applicability in diverse caregiving contexts. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS This study provides a reliable tool to identify feelings of empowerment among family caregivers of persons with life limiting illnesses for clinicians. It also allows future studies to reliably investigate a theory-driven intervention target, feelings of power, and allows clinicians to tailor this into theory-driven intervention for family caregivers of persons with life limiting illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydnie Schneider
- Department of Psychological Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Tyler N Livingston
- Department of Psychology, Angelo State University, San Angelo, Texas, USA
| | - Lauren Elliott
- Department of Psychological Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Lauren Chrzanowski
- Department of Psychological Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Amir Abu-Samaha
- Department of Psychological Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Jonathan Singer
- Department of Psychological Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA
- Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA
- Garrison Institute on Aging, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA
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Abu-Samaha A, McLean E, Weller D, Kelley J, Schmidt AT, Singer J. Comparing Public Perceptions of Child and Adult Grief Responses to Familial Incarceration. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2024:302228241266278. [PMID: 39033515 DOI: 10.1177/00302228241266278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Children of incarcerated parents may grieve this loss, yet perceptions of their grief are understudied. Using vignettes varying by age (adult/child) and grief response (prolonged/resilient), we examined differences between perceptions of adults and children grieving parental incarceration. Participants rated grief response appropriateness, comfort providing support, and grief therapy recommendations for the grieving person in the vignette. Participants perceived resilience as more appropriate than prolonged grief [F (1, 224) = 9.02, p = .003, η2 = .04]. Age did not predict outcomes. Recommending grief therapy was higher for prolonged grief, yet 53% of participants with resilient vignettes recommended the person should seek grief therapy, which is concerning given possible iatrogenic effects. Thus, laypeople may have stigma toward individuals grieving parental incarceration, regardless of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Abu-Samaha
- Department of Psychological Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Elisabeth McLean
- Department of Psychological Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Destiny Weller
- Department of Psychological Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Jonathan Kelley
- Department of Psychological Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Adam T Schmidt
- Department of Psychological Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Jonathan Singer
- Department of Psychological Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech Univeristy Health Science Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Garrison Institute on Aging, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
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3
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Sawyer JS. Grief and bereavement beliefs and their associations with death anxiety and complicated grief in a U.S. college student sample. DEATH STUDIES 2024:1-12. [PMID: 38713539 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2024.2349933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
This study examined beliefs about grief and bereavement, and how the endorsement of myths is related to death anxiety and complicated grief. Results from a sample of college students in the United States (N = 391) suggested that myths about grief and bereavement are prevalent in this group. Additionally, the endorsement of certain myths significantly explained both death anxiety and complicated grief. Findings from this study provide additional support for death education in college and university settings to promote grief literacy. Implications for education, advocacy, research, and practice are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob S Sawyer
- Department of Psychology, Alma College, Alma, Michigan, USA
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Daniel T. The Stubborn Persistence of Grief Stage Theory. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2023:302228221149801. [PMID: 36595227 DOI: 10.1177/00302228221149801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Bereavement professionals who keep up with current research have wisely discarded the "five stages of grief" theory in favor of more contemporary, more functional models, including continuing bonds, tasks of grieving, meaning-reconstruction, the six Rs of mourning, and the dual-process model. But the stage theory has stubbornly persisted, despite a steady stream of criticism in academia and countless commentaries on the dangers of using it in bereavement counseling. Public support and pockets of professional endorsement for the stages continues to exist, undeterred by the knowledge that there is very little, if any, evidence to support its usefulness. Because there is a tendency for the general public to embrace ideas popularized in mainstream media, the stage theory clings tenaciously to public acceptance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terri Daniel
- University of Maryland | Marian University, Thanatology Program
- Graduate Theological Union, Chaplaincy Program
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Daniel T. The Stubborn Persistence of Grief Stage Theory. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2023:302228231184290. [PMID: 37312241 DOI: 10.1177/00302228231184290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Bereavement professionals who keep up with current research have wisely discarded the "five stages of grief" theory in favor of more contemporary, more functional models, including continuing bonds , tasks of grieving. meaning-reconstruction , the six Rs of mourning ,and Stroebe & Schut's dual-process model. But the stage theory has stubbornly persisted, despite a steady stream of criticism in academia and countless commentaries on the dangers of using it in bereavement counseling . Public support and pockets of professional endorsement for the stages continues to exist, undeterred by the knowledge that there is very little, if any, evidence to support its usefulness. Because there is a tendency for the general public to embrace ideas popularized in mainstream media, the stage theory clings tenaciously to public acceptance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terri Daniel
- Graduate Theological Union, Lake Oswego, OR, USA
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McLean E, Livingston TN, Mitchell SM, Singer J. Perceptions of grief reactions in family members of incarcerated individuals: A vignette-based experiment. DEATH STUDIES 2023; 47:1167-1179. [PMID: 36772949 PMCID: PMC10363178 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2023.2175391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
We examined perceptions of individuals grieving the loss of a family member to incarceration. Participants (N = 1095) were randomized to a vignette that varied by race-ethnicity, crime type, and grief trajectory to assess their perceptions. Results indicated: (1) participants perceived prolonged grief as less appropriate than resilience; (2) Black family members grieving someone who committed a violent crime as more appropriate compared to White family members; and (3) women endorsed both grief trajectories as more appropriate and indicated greater comfort supporting the family member. Lastly, participants indicated prolonged, White and Latinx grievers should seek therapy more than resilient or Black individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth McLean
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | | | - Sean M. Mitchell
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Jonathan Singer
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
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Tadros E, Salman M, Ramadan A, Daifallah N. Community sadness: Clinical recommendations for working with grieving Arab American families. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2022; 69:602-612. [PMID: 36217776 DOI: 10.1177/00207640221124764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Grief is a universal emotion, both layered and multidimensional. Grief in Arab cultures center around three ideals: culture, family, and religion. This paper examines the multiple different factors that influence Arabs during their grief, broken down into how different religions process and view death, along with the impact of Westernized ideals and other relationships. We explore physiological responses of grief, gender differences in expressing emotions, self-care practice, and utilizing religion as a strength. The rules and traditions surrounding grief and loss in Arab communities need to be acknowledged by clinicians and incorporated into their practice. Recommendations and future directions for clinicians to support Arab grief within the three lenses of culture, family, and religion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman Tadros
- Governors State University, University Park, IL, USA
| | - Marram Salman
- Governors State University, University Park, IL, USA
| | - Abrea Ramadan
- Governors State University, University Park, IL, USA
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