The dying, those who care for them, and how they cope with loneliness.
This study compares the manner in which the dying, their caregivers, and the general population cope with loneliness. The patients were recruited in an oncological hospice in Israel and, despite being on their deathbed, agreed to participate. Thirty-seven cancer-stricken patients, 78 caregivers, and 128 participants From the general population volunteered to take part. The participants anonymously answered a 34-item questionnaire and were asked to endorse those items that described their strategies oF successFully coping with loneliness. Results suggested the dying patient, his or her caregiver, and the general population cope with loneliness diFFerently. Dying patients scored signiFicantly lower than the general population on the social support network and increased activity sub-scales, with a reversed trend For religion and Faith. This may be the First study to examine the manner in which the dying and their caregivers cope with loneliness. Thus, more research is needed to replicate the study using larger samples.
Rokach
Ami
A
Institute For the Study and Treatment oF Psychosocial Stress, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. arokach@yorku.ca
Matalon
Raan
R
Safarov
Artem
A
Bercovitch
Michaela
M
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008132:Loneliness / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*