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Insufficient communication and anxiety in cancer-bereaved siblings: A nationwide long-term follow-up

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 October 2015

Alexandra Eilegård Wallin ,
Gunnar Steineck ,
Tommy Nyberg  and
Ulrika Kreicbergs
Alexandra Eilegård Wallin*
Affiliation:
Department of Women's and Child's Health, Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden Division of Oncology/Pathology, Department of Clinical Cancer Epidemiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden Dalarna University College, Falun, Sweden
Gunnar Steineck
Affiliation:
Division of Oncology, Department of Clinical Cancer Epidemiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden Division of Oncology/Pathology, Department of Clinical Cancer Epidemiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Tommy Nyberg
Affiliation:
Division of Oncology/Pathology, Department of Clinical Cancer Epidemiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Ulrika Kreicbergs
Affiliation:
Department of Women's and Child's Health, Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden Ersta Skondal University College, Stockholm, Sweden
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Alexandra Eilegård Wallin, Dalarna University College, Högskolan Dalarna, Högskolegatan 2, 791 88 Falun, Sweden. E-mail: aee@du.se
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Abstract

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to examine siblings’ long-term psychological health in relation to their perception of communication with their family, friends, and healthcare professionals during a brother or sister's last month of life.

Method:

A nationwide questionnaire study was conducted during 2009 in Sweden of individuals who had lost a brother or sister to cancer within the previous two to nine years. Of the 240 siblings contacted, 174 (73%), participated. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was employed to assess psychological health (anxiety). The data are presented as proportions (%) and relative risks (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI95%).

Results:

Siblings who were not satisfied with the amount they talked about their feelings with others during their brother or sister's last month of life were more likely to report anxiety (15/58, 26%) than those who were satisfied (13/115, 11%; RR = 2.3(1.2–4.5)). The same was true for those who had been unable to talk to their family after bereavement (RR = 2.5(1.3–4.8)). Avoiding healthcare professionals for fear of being in their way increased siblings’ risk of reporting anxiety at follow-up (RR = 2.2(1.1–4.6)), especially avoidance in the hospital setting (RR = 6.7(2.5–18.2)). No such differences were seen when the ill brother or sister was cared for at home.

Significance of results:

Long-term anxiety in bereaved siblings might be due to insufficient communication. Avoiding healthcare professionals, especially when the brother or sister is cared for at the hospital, may also increase the risk of anxiety.

Keywords

BereavementCancerCommunicationOncologySiblings
Type
Original Articles
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 14 , Issue 5 , October 2016 , pp. 488 - 494
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

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