Experience of meaning in life in bereaved informal caregivers of palliative care patients.

Purpose: Providing care for terminally ill family members places an enormous burden on informal caregivers. Meaning in life (MiL) may be a protective factor, but is jeopardised in caregiving and bereavement. This study evaluates the following questions: To what extent do bereaved informal caregivers of palliative care (PC) patients experience meaning in their lives? What differences emerge in carers compared to the general German population? How does MiL relate to well-being in former caregivers?

Methods: Eighty-four bereaved PC caregivers completed the Schedule for Meaning in Life Evaluation, the Brief Symptom Inventory, the WHOQOL-BREF, a single-item numerical rating scale of quality of life, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale.

Systematic review of meaning in life assessment instruments.

Background: The construct of "meaning in life" (MiL) has raised the interest of clinicians working in psycho-oncology and end-of-life care. It has become a topic of scientific investigation where diverse assessment approaches have been applied.

Aims: We present a comprehensive systematic review of existing MiL assessment instruments.

[Retrospective follow-up design in studying psychotherapeutic effectiveness--criteria and application].

Theory: Efficacy-studies have poor external validity for psychotherapy under practice conditions. One alternative is a retrospective follow-up design. Methodological criteria are defined and a study is presented.