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Does ethnicity matter? Bereavement outcomes in two ethnic groups living in the United Kingdom

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 March 2006

JONATHAN KOFFMAN ,
NORA DONALDSON ,
MATTHEW HOTOPF  and
IRENE J. HIGGINSON
JONATHAN KOFFMAN
Affiliation:
Department of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, King's College London School of Medicine, London, UK
NORA DONALDSON
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
MATTHEW HOTOPF
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
IRENE J. HIGGINSON
Affiliation:
Department of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, King's College London School of Medicine, London, UK
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Abstract

Background: Sociologists, anthropologists, and psychologists agree that grief is a universal phenomenon. Reactions to it are, however, socially constructed and patterned.

Objective: To compare the outcomes of bereavement among family or close friends of deceased first-generation black Caribbean and white native-born patients living in the United Kingdom.

Design: Comparative cross-sectional questionnaire survey in three inner London health authorities administered 10 months after the patient's death.

Participants: Family and close friends of 50 deceased first-generation black Caribbean and 50 native-born white patients with advanced disease.

Main outcome measures: 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), Core Bereavement Items scale, a 17-item measure of grief.

Results: The intensity of grief, measured using the Core Bereavement Items was similar between the two groups. Seventy-two respondents had visited their family doctor subsequent to bereavement, and of these, black Caribbean respondents reported more psychological problems. Depression and anxiety measured by the GHQ-28 were significantly higher among black Caribbean respondents (28.00 vs. 21.2) (t-test = −2.28, p = 0.025). Multiple regression analysis revealed this difference was best accounted for by bereavement concerns such as legal and housing problems.

Conclusions: This study has observed higher psychological morbidity among the bereaved Caribbean individuals. Family doctors are a source of support for three-quarters of respondents, and they may need to focus on the needs of black and minority ethnic minorities.

Keywords

CarersBereavementDepressionEnd of lifePalliative careEthnicity
Type
Research Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 3 , Issue 3 , September 2005 , pp. 183 - 190
Copyright
© 2005 Cambridge University Press

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