title: Good grief: exploring the dimensionality of grief experiences and social work support.
abstract: This study explored the dimensionality of grief with a sample (n = 180) of caregivers of deceased loved ones; utilizing a positive grief scale, additional data were collected about perceptions of social worker practice behaviors in end-of-life care. Results revealed the presence of both positive and negative aspects of grief. Supportive social work practice behaviors at the end of life were present at least 52.2% of the time and specific practices were analyzed as to their association with positive or negative grief reactions. Results from this study suggest that grief is a multidimensional process and that social work practice behaviors can support positive aspects of grief with clients in all fields of practice.
authors: Department of Communication Disorders and Social Work, University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, Missouri 64093, USA. tgordon@ucmo.edu
authors: Theresa A
authors: TA
authors: Gordon
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001293:Attitude to Death; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012944:Social Support; D012947:Social Work; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States