title: Evaluating a bereavement follow-up intervention for grieving fathers and their experiences of support after the death of a child--a pilot study.
abstract: This article describes a study designed to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention program for bereaved fathers and their experiences of it in a sample of intervention (n = 62) and control (n = 41) fathers. Data were collected by 3 scales: the Hogan Grief Reactions Checklist, a scale for measuring received social support, and a scale for measuring fathers' experiences of the intervention program. Assessment at 6 months after leaving the hospital showed that intervention fathers reported lower grief reaction scores and stronger personal growth. Intervention fathers reported the most emotional support from both health care personnel and peer supporters. The support received was perceived as helpful in coping, and fathers rated the intervention favorably. The findings support the continuation of the intervention.
authors: School of Health Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland. anna.l.aho@uta.fi
authors: Anna Liisa
authors: AL
authors: Aho
authors: School of Health Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.
authors: Marja-Terttu
authors: MT
authors: Tarkka
authors: School of Health Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.
authors: Päivi
authors: P
authors: Astedt-Kurki
authors: School of Health Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.
authors: Leena
authors: L
authors: Sorvari
authors: School of Health Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.
authors: Marja
authors: M
authors: Kaunonen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001601:Bereavement; D057189:Checklist; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005219:Father-Child Relations; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D060685:Sense of Coherence; D050497:Stillbirth; D055815:Young Adult