2021 Volume 34 Issue 2 Pages 127-141
The current study aimed to evaluate the emotional transition and experiences of bereaved families of patients with cancer. This study examined the differences in emotional ups and downs among families. A survey was conducted to measure mental health (GHQ), graphs were used to gauge emotional transitions, and semi-structured interviews were conducted. Participants were nine adult subjects who lost a parent to cancer. Participants were grouped according to 3 criteria: the difference in the score on the GHQ was within 1 standard deviation, the amplitude of the graph was within 1 standard deviation, and remarks such as nothing has changed were heard during the interview. Participants who satisfied all 3 criteria were deemed the stable group while participants who did not were deemed the unstable group. A modified grounded theory approach was used to analyze transcript data. Results indicated that the stable group had smaller emotional ups and downs than the unstable group. The stable group mainly used cognitive coping and multiple coping methods whereas the unstable group used only a singular coping method, i.e. focusing on an event associated with depression. Family members who played a central role in dealing with problems in their family fell into the stable group while those who played a peripheral role fell into the unstable group. This finding should be considered in light of the fact that cognitive coping and coping flexibility influenced mental health during bereavement.
