Prolonged grief, reconstruction of meaning, and posttraumatic growth in nursing home residents who have lost loved ones

Abstract

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics, prolonged grief, meaning reconstruction, and posttraumatic growth of elderly individuals who have lost loved ones.

Methods: A total of 122 elderly individuals who had lost loved ones were included in the research conducted in a nursing home.

Results: The levels of Prolonged Grief Inventory (PG-13), Grief and Meaning Reconstruction Inventory (GMRI), and Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) scale were found to be high among the individuals in the study. While the PG-13 scores of single individuals who have lost their spouses are statistically significantly higher compared to married individuals, the scores for GMRI are higher for elderly individuals with chronic illness and expected death compared to those who have experienced sudden loss. A significant negative correlation was also determined between PG-13, GMRI, and PTG scores.

Conclusion: Counseling to reconstruct grief and meaning is recommended for at-risk groups. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 364-370.

Keywords: elderly; meaning reconstruction; posttraumatic growth; prolonged grief.