ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to investigate the utility of bereavement life review (BLR) to elevate spiritual well-being and alleviate depression among Hawaiian-American caregivers, and to identify changes that occur when caring for their loved ones up to the time of death. METHOD: Bereavement life review therapy was provided for 20 bereaved Hawaiian Americans. In the first session, subjects reviewed memories of the deceased with a therapist, who recorded their narratives and collected them into a personal history book. During the second session, subjects discussed the contents of this book. Caregivers completed the Functional Assessment Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual (FACIT-Sp) questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory, Second Edition (BDI-II) pre- and post-intervention. Subjects also described changes in their views that occurred during the caring process in response to questions. RESULTS: FACIT-Sp scores significantly increased from 34.1 ± 9.63 to 36.3 ± 10.6 (t = -2.6, p < 0.05, and BDI scores significantly decreased from 11.7 ± 7.7 to 8.8 ± 7.0 (t = 2.27, p < 0.05). Five categories were chosen from the narratives on changes that had occurred during caregiving and due to the deceased death: "Learning from practical caring experience," "Positive understanding of patients," "Recognition of appreciation," "Self-change or growth," and "Obtaining a philosophy." SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: These findings show the applicability of bereavement life review therapy for Hawaiian families, including efficacy for spiritual well-being and depression. The comments of the caregivers also indicate the potential of the therapy for identifying the positive aspects of caring for terminally ill patients.
