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IL LUTTO DOPO UNA PERDITA TRAUMATICA: ESPERIENZE, BISOGNI E APPLICAZIONI PRATICHE DEL SUPPORTO ONLINE.
No full textThe way of providing psychological support is changing, fast approaching the advantages provided by digitalization, particularly in light of the recent global upheavals. Also bereavement support is dealing with the implementation of different ways of reaching grieving people, and mental health professionals must investigate the possibilities offered by telematic tools, as well as the limits that online communication entails, especially for this specific population. The aim of the present study is to identify the practical implications, strengths, and limitations of the use of online bereavement support tools. In order to accomplish this aim, three studies were conducted and two specific bereavement experiences have been investigated: suicide losses and COVID-19 losses. Study 1 explored cross-sectionally the psychological state and perceived social support of Italian suicide survivors, and investigated differences in gender, kinship, help-seeking behavior, employing a rule-based system (RBS) analysis, an inference engine system able to identify implications among a set of variables. One-hundred and thirty-two (103 females and 29 males) suicide survivors answered an anonymous online survey. RBS analysis identified different help-seeking behaviors: survivors experiencing low level of social support may avoid going to a psychologist and resolve to GPs, look for advice in online forums and rely on people out of their narrower informal network such as coworkers. These unique study’s results offer insight to identify which specific areas would be fruitful to investigate while assessing social support in bereaved individuals. In Study 2, a thematic qualitative analysis was carried out on 30 live-chat transcripts of conversations between anonymous suicide survivors and a trained operator from a major Italian association providing online bereavement support. Five themes were identified to understand live-chat users’ experience with the service and their specific needs: meaning-making, reactions to the loss, resources, needs, and interactions with the operator. Suicide survivors showed to use the live-chat as a safe space in which to disclose nonsocially desirable details (included suicidal ideation) and to make sense of suicide through the reconstruction of events and the deceased's motivations. Study 3 explored qualitatively the bereavement experiences of twenty-five (23 females and 2 males) Italian family members who have lost a significant other to COVID-19 writing on a dedicated online support group. Thematic analysis of the posts showed five themes: group’s uses to respond to needs, shared crisis narrative, responses to grief, retelling narrative of death, and the context of the mourning process. Users were aware of the existence of the research and were also directly asked what they found particularly useful about the group. Participants used the group not only for memorialization purposes but also to share their loss experience and to find a community of other grievers equally shocked by the apparent unjustness of the death of their loved ones. The findings of this research might provide useful avenues for future research in order to fully capture the experience and consequences of Italian mourners’ uses of online tools.The way of providing psychological support is changing, fast approaching the advantages provided by digitalization, particularly in light of the recent global upheavals. Also bereavement support is dealing with the implementation of different ways of reaching grieving people, and mental health professionals must investigate the possibilities offered by telematic tools, as well as the limits that online communication entails, especially for this specific population. The aim of the present study is to identify the practical implications, strengths, and limitations of the use of online bereavement support tools. In order to accomplish this aim, three studies were conducted and two specific bereavement experiences have been investigated: suicide losses and COVID-19 losses. Study 1 explored cross-sectionally the psychological state and perceived social support of Italian suicide survivors, and investigated differences in gender, kinship, help-seeking behavior, employing a rule-based system (RBS) analysis, an inference engine system able to identify implications among a set of variables. One-hundred and thirty-two (103 females and 29 males) suicide survivors answered an anonymous online survey. RBS analysis identified different help-seeking behaviors: survivors experiencing low level of social support may avoid going to a psychologist and resolve to GPs, look for advice in online forums and rely on people out of their narrower informal network such as coworkers. These unique study’s results offer insight to identify which specific areas would be fruitful to investigate while assessing social support in bereaved individuals. In Study 2, a thematic qualitative analysis was carried out on 30 live-chat transcripts of conversations between anonymous suicide survivors and a trained operator from a major Italian association providing online bereavement support. Five themes were identified to understand live-chat users’ experience with the service and their specific needs: meaning-making, reactions to the loss, resources, needs, and interactions with the operator. Suicide survivors showed to use the live-chat as a safe space in which to disclose nonsocially desirable details (included suicidal ideation) and to make sense of suicide through the reconstruction of events and the deceased's motivations. Study 3 explored qualitatively the bereavement experiences of twenty-five (23 females and 2 males) Italian family members who have lost a significant other to COVID-19 writing on a dedicated online support group. Thematic analysis of the posts showed five themes: group’s uses to respond to needs, shared crisis narrative, responses to grief, retelling narrative of death, and the context of the mourning process. Users were aware of the existence of the research and were also directly asked what they found particularly useful about the group. Participants used the group not only for memorialization purposes but also to share their loss experience and to find a community of other grievers equally shocked by the apparent unjustness of the death of their loved ones. The findings of this research might provide useful avenues for future research in order to fully capture the experience and consequences of Italian mourners’ uses of online tools
When the woman gets violent: The construction of domestic abuse experience from heterosexual men’s perspective
No full textA Long Parents’ Journey After Children’s Coming Out: Obstacles, Relationships, Generativity, and Life Balance
No full textParents’ perspective on their child’s coming out (CO) remains an under-researched area, especially the investigation of parents adapting to their role post-CO years. The study qualitatively explored parents’ recollections of their children’s CO, spanning over 15 years. The study involved 15 parents (9 mothers, 6 fathers) of 4 lesbian daughters (Mage = 20.7; SDage = 7.8) and 11 gay sons (Mage = 23.0; SDage = 6.2). A semi-structured interview was employed to probe parents’ responses to their child’s CO and the long-term evolution of their CO experiences (M = 20.1; SD = 4.8). A thematic analysis was conducted through the software ATLAS.ti. Four themes were observed: (1) risk and protective factors; (2) effects of CO on relationships; (3) parents’ generativity; (4) life balance. Acceptance challenges included a lack of LGBQ+ awareness and difficulties in sharing the disclosure with extended family, particularly grandparents. Parents reported numerous strategies, some involving parental generativity, like LGBQ+ activism. Milestones like marriage and the arrival of grandchildren reinforced parents’ protective role as they aged, with the child’s LGBQ+ disclosure marking a transformative moment leading to a more authentic relationship
Live-Chat Support for People Bereaved Due to Suicide: A Thematic Analysis
No full textBackground:
People bereaved by suicide often face isolation, complicated grief and
increased suicide risk. Aims T o explore how live chat can support survivors in the ir
bere a vement process . Method A t hematic analysis wa s carried out on 30 live chat
conversations through the software ATLAS.ti8. Transcripts were retrieved from a major
Italian association providing online support. The u sers had different age s (18 to 60 years),
degrees of kinship with the deceased blood rel at ed and not )), and time distance from the loss
(between 48 hr and 10 years Results Five themes were identified: m eaning making,
r eactions to the loss, r esources, n eeds and i nteractions with the operator Survivors used the
live chat as a safe space in wh ich to disc lose nonsocially desirable details and to make sense
of suicide through the reconstruction of events and the deceased’s motivations . G i ven the
li mited social resources and the dissatisfaction with the available formal support , users
resort ed to justificati on , rationalization or faith and found support and reassurance in the live
chats Limitations: S ome conversations were fragmented and lacked detailed information on
the users . Conclusion Because of their anonymity and accessibility , live chats represent a
valid first line fo rm of s upport from which survivors may obtain useful information and start
a meaning making process
Experiences of Parental Suicide-Bereavement: A Longitudinal Qualitative Analysis over Two Years
Get PDFLimited research exists on the experiences of parents bereaved by suicide. Our earlier qualitative analysis examined the experiences of parents’ suicide bereavement at 6 and 12 months after their loss. The current study aimed to extend the analysis over 24 months, outlining the key themes of parents’ suicide bereavement experience. In the frames of a longitudinal study of suicide bereavement in Queensland, Australia, parents were interviewed at 6, 12, and 24 months after their loss. Thematic analysis was used to further explore new themes and three key themes identified in earlier analyses: searching for answers and sense-making, coping strategies and support, and finding meaning and purpose. Results at 24 months revealed a clearer differentiation between strategies adopted by mothers and fathers. Anger and blame had changed towards feelings of depression. A polarization was observed between parents still oscillating in brooding rumination and those who have shifted towards sense-making. The former more frequently reported depression symptoms, and the latter reported a more positive attitude towards life and acceptance of their loss. Consistent with the dual-process model, parents managed to reach acceptance after oscillating between sense-making and meaning making. Findings provide insights how suicide loss affects parents, with implications for postvention
Coping with recent COVID-19 deaths: A Qualitative Study with Grieving Family Members in Italy
No full textBackground: Loss maladjustment, often associated with increased psychological and
physical health issues, could represent a risk in COVID-19 mourners due to the unexpected and
violent conditions characterizing COVID-19 deaths. This is the first study to explore and
differentiate among bereavement experiences of family members who have lost a significant other
to COVID-19. Methods: Twenty individuals bereaved by COVID-19’s first wave in Lombardy
region, one of the earliest and most serious clusters worldwide, were interviewed between 1 and 3
months after their loss. Thematic analysis was carried out through the software ATLAS.ti8.
Participants (15 F, 5 M) were mourning a parent (16), a spouse (1) or a grandparent (3). Findings:
Five themes were identified: illness trajectories of COVID-19 patients; coping with the loss;
resources; COVID-19 impact on mourners’ lives; and looking forward. Mourners considering their
loved one’s departure as premature and unjust experienced a totaling anger: instead of undergoing a
sense-making process, they focused all their attention on denouncing institutions and looking for
culprits. Administration’s mismanagement determined a widespread lack of trust in health
professionals, also affecting mourners’ search for psychological help. Participants relied mainly on
virtual informal support, but the limitations of telematic-only support in the long-term emerged.
Acceptance occurred particularly in those able to find alternative ways to share their grief and use it
as a turning point. Discussion: The peculiar characteristics of COVID-19 deaths can amplify
individual differences in the start of a meaning-making process. Results propose new insights for
COVID-19 grief support within the meaning-making model
Feeling of loneliness in the elderly, possible buffering effect of the “cohousing” model
Get PDFopenThe present study investigated loneliness among adults aged 60-75 in Veneto, and explored their attitudes toward cohousing, which has been increasingly considered as a potential solution to social isolation the elderly in other countries. The research aimed at understanding the profile of lonely individuals and assess the appeal of cohousing as an alternative living arrangement. The study was conducted specifically on the Veneto population, because it presents alarming data on an aging population, loneliness, and suicide risk, which are central to the present analysis.
An online survey was administered to 487 participants (353 females, 133 males and 1 non specified) with mean age of 66.32 years old (SD= 4.20), exploring sociodemographic characteristics, utilizing the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (JGLS) and ad-hoc questions regarding cohousing. The quali-quantitative analysis focused on the relationships between sociodemographic data, perceived loneliness, health status, and interest in cohousing.
Results indicated that lonely individuals' characteristics aligned with established risk factors from the literature, including lower socioeconomic status, poor self-rated health, and functional decline. While interest in cohousing was considerable (49.5% interested, 40.5% unsure), the study found no statistically significant difference (p=0.076) in this desire between lonely (46.2%) and non-lonely (51.7%) groups. As expected, qualitative data showed that the attitude toward cohousing is complex. While participants expressed a desire for community, this was moderated by significant concerns about maintaining their autonomy, privacy, and managing potential interpersonal conflicts.
The findings suggest that cohousing is not viewed simply as a solution for loneliness but is weighed against deeply held values of independence. For cohousing to be a viable option for the Veneto population, future initiatives must address these concerns through education and thoughtful community design that balance social connection with personal freedom.The present study investigated loneliness among adults aged 60-75 in Veneto, and explored their attitudes toward cohousing, which has been increasingly considered as a potential solution to social isolation the elderly in other countries. The research aimed at understanding the profile of lonely individuals and assess the appeal of cohousing as an alternative living arrangement. The study was conducted specifically on the Veneto population, because it presents alarming data on an aging population, loneliness, and suicide risk, which are central to the present analysis.
An online survey was administered to 487 participants (353 females, 133 males and 1 non specified) with mean age of 66.32 years old (SD= 4.20), exploring sociodemographic characteristics, utilizing the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (JGLS) and ad-hoc questions regarding cohousing. The quali-quantitative analysis focused on the relationships between sociodemographic data, perceived loneliness, health status, and interest in cohousing.
Results indicated that lonely individuals' characteristics aligned with established risk factors from the literature, including lower socioeconomic status, poor self-rated health, and functional decline. While interest in cohousing was considerable (49.5% interested, 40.5% unsure), the study found no statistically significant difference (p=0.076) in this desire between lonely (46.2%) and non-lonely (51.7%) groups. As expected, qualitative data showed that the attitude toward cohousing is complex. While participants expressed a desire for community, this was moderated by significant concerns about maintaining their autonomy, privacy, and managing potential interpersonal conflicts.
The findings suggest that cohousing is not viewed simply as a solution for loneliness but is weighed against deeply held values of independence. For cohousing to be a viable option for the Veneto population, future initiatives must address these concerns through education and thoughtful community design that balance social connection with personal freedom
Live-chats in postvention: an analysis of interventions with people bereaved by suicide
No full text. People bereaved by suicide, or “survivors”, are subject to increased risk of depression and suicide. Fear of stigma, fatigue and lack of services may hinder their help-seeking behavior. The aim of this study was to explore the characteristics and needs of survivors who seek help online and the pros and cons of the use of live-chats as a first-aid tool in bereavement support. No such analysis had been carried out before this study. A data-driven thematic analysis with the software Atlas.ti was carried out on 20 live-chat conversations from the major Italian association providing free-of-charge online support. The socio-demographics of the sample were retrieved from the transcripts. Three categories were explored: users’ features, reported needs and online interactions. The users were mainly women (18 of 20), partners, siblings or parents of the deceased (11 of 20), aged between 18 and 60 years, who had lost their loved one between one day and 12 months before. Users expressed needs to receive practical information on how and where to find support and requests to be emotionally reassured. Features such as anonymity and accessibility were fondly appreciated. Live-chat services represent a safe space where survivors can obtain useful information and start processing their loss. Because of its anonymity and accessibility, a live-chat service may represent a valid first line of support and a tool for prevention of suicidal ideation. The strengths of the study reside in its ecology: in contrast to a simulated user study, this analysis stems from a real context of emergenc
Navigating post-ICU care: understanding family members’ experiences - a qualitative study
Get PDFBackground:Comprehending and addressing the needs of caregivers during the post-intensive care unit (ICU) phase is vital for establishing sustainable support systems and improving the overall quality of life (QoL) for both patients and caregivers.Objective:To explore the experiences of family members (FMs) caring for loved ones three-months after ICU discharge and their related QoL.Methods and measures:A qualitative, descriptive research was conducted. Participants were recruited from two general ICUs in an Italian Academic Hospital. Data collection lasted two months and was performed with telephonic interviews led by ICU nurses. Thematic analysis was conducted using a hybrid approach, incorporating both deductive and inductive coding strategies. This process has been facilitated by Atlas.ti software.Results:Twenty-four FMs participated, representing a diverse range of familial relationships with the patients. Thematic analysis revealed four overarching themes: 1) QoL underwent transformations; 2) Positive emotions laden with significance; 3) Supporting role taken on by a caregiver; and 4) Life's transience through the meaning-making of the illness event. These themes highlighted the multifaceted nature of the caregiving experience.Conclusions:This study provides valuable insights into the challenges and dynamics faced by FMs following ICU discharge. Findings underscore the importance of addressing environmental challenges, cultivating positive emotions, and strengthening caregiver-patient relationships to enhance the caregiving experience and promote overall QoL. FMs can adapt their personal concepts and reach their full potential by learning to coexist with the demanding role of caregiver and achieve a new level of resilience and fulfillment
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