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Bereavement risk assessment of family caregivers of patients with cancer: Japanese version of the Bereavement Risk Assessment Tool

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 November 2018

Tomohiro Uchida ,
Noriaki Satake ,
Toshimichi Nakaho ,
Akira Inoue  and
Hidemitsu Saito
Tomohiro Uchida*
Affiliation:
Division of Human Psychology, Shokei Gakuin University, Natori, Japan
Noriaki Satake
Affiliation:
Palliative Care Center, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan
Toshimichi Nakaho
Affiliation:
Miyagi Cancer Center, Natori, Japan
Akira Inoue
Affiliation:
Department of Palliative Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
Hidemitsu Saito
Affiliation:
Psychiatric Nursing, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan Midorigaoka Hospital, Shiogama, Japan
*
Author for correspondence: Tomohiro Uchida, PH.D., Division of Human Psychology, Shokei Gakuin University, 4-10-1 Yurigaoka, Natori, Miyagi 981-1295, Japan. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objectives

The Bereavement Risk Assessment Tool (BRAT) seems to be useful in identifying those who are likely to suffer from the more severe consequences of bereavement. To date, however, only a few studies have examined bereavement risk using the BRAT. This study investigated bereavement risk in family caregivers of patients with cancer using the Japanese version of the Bereavement Risk Assessment Tool (BRAT-J). We also investigated the relationship of bereavement risk with psychological distress and resilience among caregivers to determine the validity of the BRAT-J.

Methods

We conducted family psychoeducation in the palliative care unit of Tohoku University Hospital with participants who were recruited in this study. Among the participants, 50 family caregivers provided their written informed consent and were included in this study. Participants were assessed using the BRAT-J and completed the Japanese version of the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) and the Tachikawa Resilience Scale (TRS).

Results

According to the BRAT-J, five individuals (10%) were in the high category of bereavement risk (level 4 or 5). We also found that family caregivers of patients experienced many different pressures, such as facing the unknown; their own work; and insufficient financial, practical, or physical resources. These issues are associated with various mental problems. Additionally, the level of bereavement risk was significantly correlated with K6 scores (ρ = 0.30, p = 0.032), and the TRS score (ρ = –0.44, p = 0.001). These correlations confirmed previous findings and that the BRAT-J can be an efficient screening tool for the bereavement risk of family caregivers of patients with cancer.

Significance of results

It appears that the BRAT-J is useful in predicting the likelihood of difficulties or complications in bereavement for family caregivers and could help to provide support with these issues when needed.

Keywords

Bereavement riskFamily caregiverBereavement Risk Assessment Tool (BRAT-J)Psychological distress
Type
Original Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 17 , Issue 4 , August 2019 , pp. 448 - 452
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2018 

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