Does ethnicity matter? Bereavement outcomes in two ethnic groups living in the United Kingdom.
BACKGROUND
Sociologists, anthropologists, and psychologists agree that grief is a universal phenomenon. Reactions to it are, however, socially constructed and patterned.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the outcomes of bereavement among family or close friends of deceased first-generation black Caribbean and white native-born patients living in the United Kingdom.


METHODS
Comparative cross-sectional questionnaire survey in three inner London health authorities administered 10 months after the patient's death.


METHODS
Family and close friends of 50 deceased first-generation black Caribbean and 50 native-born white patients with advanced disease.


METHODS
28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), Core Bereavement Items scale, a 17-item measure of grief.


RESULTS
The intensity of grief, measured using the Core Bereavement Items was similar between the two groups. Seventy-two respondents had visited their family doctor subsequent to bereavement, and of these, black Caribbean respondents reported more psychological problems. Depression and anxiety measured by the GHQ-28 were significantly higher among black Caribbean respondents (28.00 vs. 21.2) (t-test = -2.28, p = 0.025). Multiple regression analysis revealed this difference was best accounted for by bereavement concerns such as legal and housing problems.


CONCLUSIONS
This study has observed higher psychological morbidity among the bereaved Caribbean individuals. Family doctors are a source of support for three-quarters of respondents, and they may need to focus on the needs of black and minority ethnic minorities.
Koffman
Jonathan
J
Department of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, King's College London School of Medicine, London, UK. jonathan.s.koffman@kcl.ac.uk
Donaldson
Nora
N
Hotopf
Matthew
M
Higginson
Irene J
IJ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001601:Bereavement; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000208:ethnology; D014900:West Indies / Q000208:ethnology; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology*