"One Size Doesn't Fit All" - , an Individualized Approach to Bereavement Intervention.

We concluded in a recent study that a "one size fits all" approach typical of group interventions often does not adequately accommodate the range of situations, life experiences, and current needs of participants. We describe how this limitation informed the design and implementation of an individually-delivered intervention format more specifically tailored to the unique needs of each bereaved person. The intervention comprises one of three interrelated studies within (PHC), which examines the trajectory from end-of-life care through bereavement among cancer caregivers using hospice.

Time for living and caring: an intervention to make respite more effective for caregivers.

This article presents the rationale for and description of a promising intervention, Time for Living and Caring (TLC), designed to enhance the effectiveness of respite services for family caregivers. It is guided by the theoretical principles of the Selective Optimization with Compensation (SOC) model, which individually coaches caregivers on how to assess their personal circumstances, identify their greatest needs and preferences, and engage in goal setting and attainment strategies to make better use of their respite time. Focusing on respite activities that match caregivers' unique needs is likely to result in improved well-being.

Spousal Bereavement Following Cancer Death.

Loss due to cancer could predispose surviving spouses or partners to a variety of negative outcomes. Although a terminal prognosis may provide opportunities to prepare for the loss, existing evidence is inconclusive as to whether death expectedness buffers potentially negative bereavement outcomes. Using data from the study, we examined longitudinally outcomes of bereaved individuals whose spouses/partners died from cancer (n = 112) versus other causes (n = 213) while accounting for death expectedness.

Perceived self-competency among the recently bereaved.

In this study, the authors identified personal resources, features of the marital relationship, and death circumstances that affected perceived self-competency among recently bereaved older adults. Data came from 328 widowed persons who participated in the "Living After Loss" project. Results suggested that those who had more personal resources--namely, income and good health--were the most competent in daily life tasks.

Humor, laughter, and happiness in the daily lives of recently bereaved spouses.

The positive psychology movement has created more interest in examining the potential value of experiencing positive emotions (e.g., humor, laughter, and happiness) during the course of bereavement.

Identifying themes regarding the benefits and limitations of caregiver support group conversations.

Support groups continue to be one of the most needed and desired forms of help for family caregivers to persons with dementia. Though the effects of caregiver support group participation have been examined, the benefits and limitations of the dynamics of support group conversations have been neglected. This study focuses on the perceived consequences of group dynamics.

Toward the development of an inventory of daily widowed life (IDWL): guided by the dual process model of coping with bereavement.

The Dual Process Model of Coping with Bereavement (M. Stroebe & H. Schut, 1999) suggests that the most effective adaptation involves oscillation between 2 coping processes: loss-orientation (LO) and restoration-orientation (RO).

Older adults' attitudes, concerns, and support for environmental issues in the "New West".

The natural environment has been a missing topic from education and public policy forums concerning an aging society. This study examines demographic trends and several socio-demographic influences on attitudes, concerns, and active support for environmental issues among older adults in a retirement "hot spot" in the New West. A sample of 394 older adults in southwestern Utah was obtained from questionnaires mailed to those randomly selected from a larger dataset, and through hand-distributed questionnaires at selected RV parks.