J Hosp Palliat Nurs. 2021 Aug 1;23(4):346-353. doi: 10.1097/NJH.0000000000000763.
The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed social life. This secondary qualitative analysis aimed to better understand the impact of the pandemic on bereaved hospice family caregivers' experiences of social connection and isolation in a time of social distancing and general anxiety. Six caregivers in 3 states recorded audio diaries (N = 59) between March 13 and May 15, 2020. Caregivers were, on average, 56.80 years old (SD, 14.22; range, 32-67 years old) and consisted of spouses (n = 2), adult children (n = 3), and a sibling (n = 1). Using NVIVO 12, caregiver diaries were coded for (1) "social connection" (n = 23), defined as being able to access or seeking informal or formal social support networks; (2) "isolation" (n = 17), defined as being unable or reluctant to access informal or formal social support networks, or feeling alone; and (3) "bereavement processes" (n = 147), informed by the dual process model of bereavement (restoration and loss-oriented stressors). Content analysis revealed that caregivers were able to connect with others despite physical distancing expectations, expressed loneliness and grief while in isolation, and described moving on in the face of uncertainty. Findings provide insight into how caregivers experienced bereavement during the initial period of the pandemic and highlight implications for hospice bereavement services.
COVID-19 大流行极大地改变了社会生活。本二次定性分析旨在更好地了解在社交距离和普遍焦虑时期，大流行对临终关怀家庭照顾者社会联系和隔离体验的影响。来自 3 个州的 6 名照顾者在 2020 年 3 月 13 日至 5 月 15 日期间记录了音频日记（N=59）。照顾者的平均年龄为 56.80 岁（SD=14.22；范围为 32-67 岁），包括配偶（n=2）、成年子女（n=3）和兄弟姐妹（n=1）。使用 NVIVO 12，对照顾者的日记进行了编码，内容包括：（1）“社会联系”（n=23），定义为能够或寻求非正式或正式的社会支持网络；（2）“隔离”（n=17），定义为无法或不愿进入非正式或正式的社会支持网络，或感到孤独；以及（3）“丧亲过程”（n=147），由丧亲的双重过程模型（恢复和以损失为导向的压力源）提供信息。内容分析显示，尽管有保持身体距离的期望，但照顾者仍能够与他人保持联系，在隔离时表达孤独和悲伤，并在面对不确定性时继续前进。研究结果深入了解了照顾者在大流行初期经历丧亲的情况，并强调了临终关怀丧亲服务的意义。
