THE EFFECTS OF BEREAVEMENT AFTER FAMILY CAREGIVING

Most deaths in the US are preceded by an extended period of time durin g which one or more family members provide health and support services to their disabled relative. The high prevalence and significance of d isability and death have generated two large but separate empirical li teratures: studies of family caregiving and research on the effects of bereavement. The purpose of this review is to facilitate the converge nce of these two content areas. First, we describe and evaluate separa tely the theoretical perspectives used to explain caregiving and berea vement outcomes and consider how these frameworks can be applied to th e bereavement process for family caregivers. Second, existing findings on caregiving and bereavement are summarized. Third, methodological s trengths and weaknesses of the current research are identified and rec ommendations for future research are made. Examination of the existing literature shows few negative consequences and several positive outco mes associated with the death of the care recipient. Predictive analys es suggest that the availability of support during caregiving and the quality of the caregiving experience facilitate adaptation td bereavem ent among former caregivers.