The link between positive-negative appraisals of prebereavement and mental health after spousal loss

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the link between the cognitive appraisals of prebereavement and mental health after spousal loss. One hundred and twenty widow (er) s answered questionnaires concerning appraisals of prebereavement (Scale for Appraisals of Prebereavement: SAP) and mental health (General Health Questionnaire Japanese version, 28 items version: GHQ-28). As a result of factor analysis with promax rotation, it was revealed that SAP had four main factors: “Human relationship with the deceased, ” “Life of the deceased, ” “End of the deceased, ” and “Hospital staff and care.” Age of the subjects showed positive correlations with both “Total appraisal of prebereavement” and “Life of the deceased.” It was shown that the SAP as a whole had very little relationship with each subscales of GHQ-28. The psychiatrically high-risk widow (er) s have more positive appraisals on both “Total appraisal of prebereavement” and “Life of the deceased.” The implications of these findings for family care and bereavement care were discussed.