title: Examining Posttraumatic Growth Among Bereaved Family Members of Patients With Cancer Who Received Palliative Care at Home.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study examines the factor structure of the Japanese version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI-J) among bereaved family members who lost loved ones to cancer after home-based palliative care in Japan. It evaluates the relationships between total score, each PTGI-J domain, and participants' having a religious belief, gender, age, relationship to the patient, and time since patient death.
  
  
  METHODS
  Bereaved family members (n = 849) completed the PTGI-J and a demographic questionnaire. The factor structure was tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and univariate analysis was used to test hypotheses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the current sample moderately fitted to both 4-factor and 5-factor models. Univariate analysis revealed that having a religious belief and gender were associated with all domains and total PTGI-J score. Age, time since patient death, and relationship to the patient showed significant differences with the domains of PTGI-J.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinicians may be able to adjust the support they provide based on patients' personal characteristics. Future research should look at the mechanisms of PTG by examining the role of rumination, social support, and emotional distress among bereaved family members of patients with cancer.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of System Management in Nursing, Graduate School of Health Care Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Kayo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hirooka
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of System Management in Nursing, Graduate School of Health Care Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fukahori
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Kanako
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Taku
authors.affiliation: 3 Faculty of Liberal Arts, The Open University of Japan, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Taisuke
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Togari
authors.affiliation: 4 Psycho Oncology Division, Research Center for Innovative Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Asao
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ogawa
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001601:Bereavement; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012067:Religion; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: bereavement; cancer; family; hospice at home; palliative care; posttraumatic growth