Davis, E.L., Deane, F.P., Lyons, G.C., and Barclay, G.D. (2017) Is Higher Acceptance Associated With Less Anticipatory Grief Among Patients in Palliative Care? Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 54: 120-125.
Context. Patients in palliative care can experience substantial psychological suffering. Acceptance-based interventions from approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy have demonstrated effectiveness in helping people cope with a range of life challenges. However, there is a dearth of research examining mechanisms of therapeutic change for patients in palliative care.
Objectives. To assess the relationships between acceptance, anticipatory grief, anxiety, and depression among patients in palliative care.
Methods. A cross-sectional survey was verbally administered to inpatients (N ΒΌ 73) receiving palliative care.
Results. Correlations revealed that acceptance had a strong relationship with anticipatory grief, anxiety, and depression. A hierarchical regression analysis on anticipatory grief showed that acceptance was the largest predictor and accounted for an
additional 13% of variance in anticipatory grief over and above anxiety and depression.
Conclusion. The present study provides preliminary data suggesting that interventions that target acceptance may b eindicated in patients in palliative care.