The Effects of Group Therapy on Bereaved Extended Family of Children with Cancer

The impact of the death of a child from cancer and subsequent grief on the extended family members has not been documented. Additionally, the effect of a support group for these individuals has not been explored. Therefore, this one group pretest/post-test study sought to determine the effects of participation in a support group for bereaved extended family members whose child died from cancer. Extended family members completed the Emotions Profile Index before and after the group sessions. Descriptive data were collected from the cotherapists' process log and the participants' evaluation. No significant differences were found between pretest and post-test scores for any emotional state. However, the group process log showed significant clinical data related to the intensity of the grief experienced and ways of coping with the loss. The Bereaved Extended Family Group Evaluation demonstrated the usefulness of the group experience. Tentative conclusions support the value of such a group in providing a forum...