The effect of a support group on grieving individuals' levels of perceived support and stress.

This study examined the effects of support group participation on bereaved individuals' levels of perceived support and stress. Using a single group pretest/posttest design, data were collected from a convenience sample of 21 grieving individuals who participated in 10 weekly support group sessions. Perceived stress decreased significantly (P less than .002) following support group participation. However, although perceived support increased, the change was not statistically significant. These findings indicate that a support group can be an effective intervention to decrease feelings of stress in bereaved individuals.