Grieving the loss of a child and the use of online social support : An exploratory survey study /
Clarkson, Gina
Grieving the loss of a child and the use of online social support : An exploratory survey study / Gina Clarkson, Noorjahan Suhana Sheikh, and Lee Ann Johnson - Vol 62 (9) pages 47-55 : illustrations ; 27 cm
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To describe social media online grief supports, accessing behaviors, psychosocial variables, and feelings of support among individuals grieving the loss of a child aged <18 years.
METHOD: This online survey study recruited 26 adults grieving the loss of a child using social media. Dependent variables included feelings of support and frequency of access. Independent variables included sleep disturbance, cognitive function, depression, anxiety, and self-efficacy to manage emotions (SEMA). Data were collected from May to September 2018.
RESULTS: Participants' T scores were higher in level of sleep disturbance
(mean = 59.4, SD = 6.1), depression (mean = 62.1, SD = 6.1), and anxiety
(mean = 62.8, SD = 7.9), and lower in cognitive function (mean = 37.4, 5D = 7.3) and
SEMA (mean = 39.3, SD = 5.7). SEMA showed a positive correlation with feeling
emotionally supported (p = 0.034). Participants who were accessing online grief
supports more frequently reported higher levels of emotional support (F = 9.31,
p = 0.006).
CONCLUSION: Current findings will help guide the design of online grief support interventions for individuals grieving the loss of a child.
0279-3695
Online social support
Grieving the loss of a child and the use of online social support : An exploratory survey study / Gina Clarkson, Noorjahan Suhana Sheikh, and Lee Ann Johnson - Vol 62 (9) pages 47-55 : illustrations ; 27 cm
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To describe social media online grief supports, accessing behaviors, psychosocial variables, and feelings of support among individuals grieving the loss of a child aged <18 years.
METHOD: This online survey study recruited 26 adults grieving the loss of a child using social media. Dependent variables included feelings of support and frequency of access. Independent variables included sleep disturbance, cognitive function, depression, anxiety, and self-efficacy to manage emotions (SEMA). Data were collected from May to September 2018.
RESULTS: Participants' T scores were higher in level of sleep disturbance
(mean = 59.4, SD = 6.1), depression (mean = 62.1, SD = 6.1), and anxiety
(mean = 62.8, SD = 7.9), and lower in cognitive function (mean = 37.4, 5D = 7.3) and
SEMA (mean = 39.3, SD = 5.7). SEMA showed a positive correlation with feeling
emotionally supported (p = 0.034). Participants who were accessing online grief
supports more frequently reported higher levels of emotional support (F = 9.31,
p = 0.006).
CONCLUSION: Current findings will help guide the design of online grief support interventions for individuals grieving the loss of a child.
0279-3695
Online social support