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Eilegård Wallin, AlexandraORCID iD iconorcid.org/0000-0002-6133-8975
Alternative names
Publications (10 of 32) Show all publications
Eilegård Wallin, A., Udo, C., Kreicbergs, U. & Lövgren, M. (2020). Cancer-bereaved siblings' advice to peers: a nationwide follow-up survey. Death Studies, 44(9), 561-568
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Cancer-bereaved siblings' advice to peers: a nationwide follow-up survey
2020 (English)In: Death Studies, ISSN 0748-1187, E-ISSN 1091-7683, Vol. 44, no 9, p. 561-568Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

The aim of this nationwide survey was to explore, based on an open-ended question, cancer-bereaved siblings’ advice to peers with a brother or sister with cancer. Half of the advice related to being with the ill sibling and cherishing the time together. Other advice related to the value of communicating about the situation, letting go of guilt, and living life as usual. The results highlight the importance of health care professionals, family, and others facilitating for siblings to spend time together and communicate openly.

National Category
Nursing
Research subject
Research Profiles 2009-2020, Health and Welfare
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:du-29656 (URN)10.1080/07481187.2019.1595220 (DOI)000466681700001 ()2-s2.0-85064499307 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2019-03-12 Created: 2019-03-12 Last updated: 2021-11-12Bibliographically approved
Eilegård Wallin, A., Udo, C., Kreicbergs, U. & Lövgren, M. (2019). Cancer-bereaved siblings advice to peers: A nationwide follow-up survey. In: : . Paper presented at EAPC 2019: 16th World Congress of the European Association for Palliative Care, Global palliative care – Shaping the future, Berlin, 23-25 May 2019.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Cancer-bereaved siblings advice to peers: A nationwide follow-up survey
2019 (English)Conference paper, Poster (with or without abstract) (Refereed)
National Category
Health Sciences
Research subject
Research Profiles 2009-2020, Health and Welfare
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:du-30020 (URN)
Conference
EAPC 2019: 16th World Congress of the European Association for Palliative Care, Global palliative care – Shaping the future, Berlin, 23-25 May 2019
Available from: 2019-05-23 Created: 2019-05-23 Last updated: 2021-11-12Bibliographically approved
Vegsund, H. K., Reinfjell, T., Moksnes, U. K., Eilegård Wallin, A., Hjemdal, O. & Eilertsen, M.-E. B. (2019). Resilience as a predictive factor towards a healthy adjustment to grief after the loss of a child to cancer. PLOS ONE, 14(3), Article ID e0214138.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Resilience as a predictive factor towards a healthy adjustment to grief after the loss of a child to cancer
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2019 (English)In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 14, no 3, article id e0214138Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

INTRODUCTION: Grief among bereaved parents is known to cause psychological distress and physical illness, but knowledge concerning factors that can contribute to health promotion after bereavement is scarce. Childhood cancer remains the most common non-accidental cause of death among children in Norway. The aim of the present study was to explore if resilience factors among cancer-bereaved parents could predict whether they will be able to come to terms with their grief 2-8 years following the loss.

METHODS: A Norwegian cross-sectional national survey was conducted among 161 cancer-bereaved parents using a study-specific questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to explore whether resilience factors predicted parents' grief outcome 2-8 years after their loss.

RESULTS: On the Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA), three of the resilience factors contributed significantly in predicting whether the parents in the present study would come to terms with their grief 2-8 years after the loss their child: "Perception of self "(OR 2.08, p = .048), "Social resources" (OR 2.83, p = .008) and "Family cohesion" (OR .41, p = .025). The results showed a negative relationship between time since loss (2-6 years) and whether the parents answered that they had come to terms with their grief (p = < .05). The loss of a parent (OR .30, p = .030) combined with the loss of their child had a negative and significant effect on whether they indicated that they had processed their grief.

CONCLUSION: The total score of RSA and three of the six resilient factors contributed significantly in predicting whether cancer-bereaved parents in the present study indicated that they had come to terms with their grief to a great extent. The present study supports hypotheses that regard resilience as an important contribution in predicting healthy outcomes in people exposed to adverse life events.

National Category
Health Sciences
Research subject
Research Profiles 2009-2020, Health and Welfare
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:du-29760 (URN)10.1371/journal.pone.0214138 (DOI)000461889700069 ()30897157 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-85063357484 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2019-03-26 Created: 2019-03-26 Last updated: 2021-11-12Bibliographically approved
Lövgren, M., Sveen, J., Steineck, G., Eilegård Wallin, A., Eilertsen, M.-E. B. & Kreicbergs, U. (2019). Spirituality and religious coping are related to cancer-bereaved siblings' long-term grief. Palliative & Supportive Care, 17(2), 138-142
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Spirituality and religious coping are related to cancer-bereaved siblings' long-term grief
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2019 (English)In: Palliative & Supportive Care, ISSN 1478-9515, E-ISSN 1478-9523, Vol. 17, no 2, p. 138-142Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

OBJECTIVE: Many bereaved siblings have still not come to terms with their grief many years after the loss, but few studies have focused on what can help. The aims of this study were to identify cancer-bereaved adolescents' and young adults' ways of coping with grief after loss of a sibling, and examine whether these ways of coping were related to their experience of having worked through their grief.

METHOD: This nationwide survey of 174 cancer-bereaved siblings (73% participation rate) is based on one open-ended question about coping with grief ("What has helped you to cope with your grief after your sibling's death?") and one closed-ended question about siblings' long-term grief ("Do you think you have worked through your grief over your sibling's death?"). The open-ended question was analyzed with content analysis; descriptive statistics and Fisher's exact test were used to examine the relation between type of coping and siblings' long-term grief. Result The siblings described four ways of coping: (1) thinking of their dead brother/sister and feeling and expressing their grief; (2) distracting or occupying themselves; (3) engaging in spiritual and religious beliefs/activities; and (4) waiting for time to pass. One of these categories of coping with grief, namely, engaging in spiritual and religious beliefs and activities, was associated with siblings' experience of having worked through their grief two to nine years after the loss (p = 0.016). Significance of results Those siblings who had used spirituality, religious beliefs, and activities to cope were more likely to have worked through their grief than those who had not.

Keywords
Childhood cancer, bereavement, coping, siblings
National Category
Health Sciences
Research subject
Research Profiles 2009-2020, Health and Welfare
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:du-26898 (URN)10.1017/S1478951517001146 (DOI)000463353800003 ()29258632 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-85042223450 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2017-12-29 Created: 2017-12-29 Last updated: 2021-11-12Bibliographically approved
Eilertsen, M., Lövgren, M., Eilegård Wallin, A. & Kreicbergs, U. (2018). Cancer-bereaved siblings' positive and negative memories and experiences of illness and death: A nationwide follow-up. Palliative & Supportive Care, 16(4), 406-413
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Cancer-bereaved siblings' positive and negative memories and experiences of illness and death: A nationwide follow-up
2018 (English)In: Palliative & Supportive Care, ISSN 1478-9515, E-ISSN 1478-9523, Vol. 16, no 4, p. 406-413Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Objective: Our aim was to explore bereaved siblings' positive and negative memories and experiences of their brother's or sister's illness and death.

Method: In our nationwide Swedish study, 174 of 240 (73%) bereaved siblings participated, and 70% responded to two open-ended statements, which focused on siblings' positive and negative memories and experiences of illness and death. The data were analyzed using systematic text condensation. Results:: The bereaved siblings' responses were categorized into four different themes: (1) endurance versus vulnerability, (2) family cohesion versus family conflicts, (3) growth versus stagnation, and (4) professional support versus lack of professional support. The first theme expressed endurance as the influence that the ill siblings' strong willpower, good mood, and stamina in their difficult situation had on healthy siblings, whereas vulnerability was expressed as the feeling of emptiness and loneliness involved with having an ill and dying sibling. In the second theme, family cohesion was expressed as the bonds being strengthened between family members, whereas family conflicts often led siblings to feel invisible and unacknowledged. In the third theme, most siblings expressed the feeling that they grew as individuals in the process of their brother's or sister's illness and death, whereas others experienced stagnation because of the physical and mental distress they bore throughout this time, often feeling forgotten. In the last theme—professional support—most siblings perceived physicians and staff at the hospital as being warm, kind, and honest, while some siblings had negative experiences.

Significance of results: The study shows that bereaved siblings can have positive memories and experiences. The significance of the positive buffering effect on bereaved siblings' own endurance, personal growth, family cohesion, and social support should be noted. This knowledge can be valuable in showing healthcare professionals the importance of supporting the siblings of children with cancer throughout the cancer trajectory and afterwards into bereavement. 

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Cambridge University Press, 2018
Keywords
Bereavement, Cancer, Pediatric palliative care, Psychosocial issues, Siblings
National Category
Health Sciences
Research subject
Research Profiles 2009-2020, Health and Welfare
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:du-25629 (URN)10.1017/S1478951517000529 (DOI)000444968400005 ()28641585 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-85021092731 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2017-07-24 Created: 2017-07-24 Last updated: 2021-11-12Bibliographically approved
Vegsund, H.-K. -., Rannestad, T., Reinfjell, T., Moksnes, U. K., Eilegård Wallin, A. & Eilertsen, M. B. (2018). Translation and linguistic validation of a swedish study-specific questionnaire for use among Norwegian parents who lost a child to cancer. Social Sciences, 7(10)
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Translation and linguistic validation of a swedish study-specific questionnaire for use among Norwegian parents who lost a child to cancer
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2018 (English)In: Social Sciences, E-ISSN 2076-0760, Vol. 7, no 10Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Research is needed on how to help cancer-bereaved parents, as they are considered to be a vulnerable population and they are at risk of developing ill health following the loss of a child to cancer. The purpose of the present study was to translate and linguistically validate a Swedish study-specific questionnaire that was developed for Swedish cancer-bereaved parents. The translated questionnaire will be used in a nationwide study in Norway. Methods: Forward and backward translations of the Swedish study-specific questionnaire were conducted, followed by linguistic validation based on telephone interviews with six Norwegian cancer-bereaved parents. Result: It was found that several medical terms and conceptual issues were difficult for the Norwegian parents to understand. There were also four issues regarding the response alternatives. Conclusions: Although Sweden and Norway have quite similar cultures and languages, the results off this pilot study show that, to ensure the quality of a translated questionnaire, linguistic validation as well as translation is necessary.

Keywords
bereaved parents; childhood cancer; linguistic validation; pilot study; translation; vulnerable population
National Category
Health Sciences
Research subject
Research Profiles 2009-2020, Health and Welfare
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:du-28844 (URN)10.3390/socsci7100187 (DOI)2-s2.0-85054875420 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2018-10-29 Created: 2018-10-29 Last updated: 2022-02-10Bibliographically approved
Lövgren, M., Bylund-Grenklo, T., Jalmsell, L., Eilegård Wallin, A. & Kreicbergs, U. (2016). Bereaved siblings' advice to health care professionals working with children with cancer and their families. Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, 33(4), 297-305
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Bereaved siblings' advice to health care professionals working with children with cancer and their families
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2016 (English)In: Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, ISSN 1043-4542, E-ISSN 1532-8457, Vol. 33, no 4, p. 297-305Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

INTRODUCTION: Siblings of children with cancer experience psychosocial distress during the illness and after bereavement, but often stand outside the spotlight of attention and care. This study explored bereaved siblings' advice to health care professionals (HCPs) working with children with cancer and their families.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a nationwide Swedish survey of bereaved siblings, 174/240 (73%) participated. Of these, 108 answered an open-ended question about what advice they would give to HCPs working with children with cancer and their families. In this study, responses to this single question were analyzed using content analysis.

RESULTS: The most common advice, suggested by 56% of siblings, related to their own support. One third suggested giving better medical information to siblings. Some siblings wanted to be more practically involved in their brother's/sister's care and suggested that HCPs should give parents guidance on how to involve siblings. Other common advice related to psychosocial aspects, such as the siblings' wish for HCPs to mediate hope, yet also realism, and the importance of asking the ill child about what care they wanted.

CONCLUSION: Information, communication, and involvement should be emphasized by HCPs to support siblings' psychosocial needs in both the health care setting and within the family.

Keywords
bereavement; health care professionals; pediatric palliative care; psychosocial issues; siblings
National Category
Nursing
Research subject
Research Profiles 2009-2020, Health and Welfare
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:du-20526 (URN)10.1177/1043454215616605 (DOI)000378422200007 ()26669875 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-84977083385 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2015-12-23 Created: 2015-12-23 Last updated: 2021-11-12Bibliographically approved
Eilegård Wallin, A., Steineck, G., Nyberg, T. & Kreicbergs, U. (2016). Insufficient communication and anxiety in cancer-bereaved siblings: a nationwide long-term follow-up. Palliative & Supportive Care, October, 488-494
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Insufficient communication and anxiety in cancer-bereaved siblings: a nationwide long-term follow-up
2016 (English)In: Palliative & Supportive Care, ISSN 1478-9515, E-ISSN 1478-9523, Vol. October, p. 488-494Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine siblings’ long-term psychological health in relation to their perception of communication with their family, friends, and healthcare professionals during a brother or sister's last month of life.

Method: A nationwide questionnaire study was conducted during 2009 in Sweden of individuals who had lost a brother or sister to cancer within the previous two to nine years. Of the 240 siblings contacted, 174 (73%), participated. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was employed to assess psychological health (anxiety). The data are presented as proportions (%) and relative risks (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI 95%).

Results: Siblings who were not satisfied with the amount they talked about their feelings with others during their brother or sister's last month of life were more likely to report anxiety (15/58, 26%) than those who were satisfied (13/115, 11%; RR = 2.3(1.2–4.5)). The same was true for those who had been unable to talk to their family after bereavement (RR = 2.5(1.3–4.8)). Avoiding healthcare professionals for fear of being in their way increased siblings’ risk of reporting anxiety at follow-up (RR = 2.2(1.1–4.6)), especially avoidance in the hospital setting (RR = 6.7(2.5–18.2)). No such differences were seen when the ill brother or sister was cared for at home.

Significance of results: Long-term anxiety in bereaved siblings might be due to insufficient communication. Avoiding healthcare professionals, especially when the brother or sister is cared for at the hospital, may also increase the risk of anxiety.

Keywords
bereavement, cancer, communication, oncology, siblings
National Category
Health Sciences
Research subject
Research Profiles 2009-2020, Health and Welfare
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:du-20332 (URN)10.1017/S1478951515001273 (DOI)000384433900007 ()2-s2.0-84945537091 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2015-12-04 Created: 2015-12-01 Last updated: 2021-11-12Bibliographically approved
Lövgren, M., Jalmsell, L., Eilegård, A., Steineck, G. & Kreicbergs, U. (2016). Siblings' experiences of their brother's or sister's cancer death: a nationwide follow-up 2-9 years later. Psycho-Oncology, 25(4), 435-440
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Siblings' experiences of their brother's or sister's cancer death: a nationwide follow-up 2-9 years later
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2016 (English)In: Psycho-Oncology, ISSN 1057-9249, E-ISSN 1099-1611, Vol. 25, no 4, p. 435-440Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine siblings' experiences of their brother's or sister's cancer death and if these experiences influenced levels of anxiety 2–9 years later.

Methods

This nationwide survey was conducted in Sweden in 2009. All siblings who had a brother/sister who was diagnosed with cancer before the age of 17 years and who died before the age of 25 years during 2000–2007 were invited. Of those, 174 siblings participated (participation rate: 73%). Mixed data from the survey about the siblings' experiences of death were included as well as data from the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. To examine the experiences, descriptive statistics and content analysis were used. Mann–Whitney U-test was conducted to investigate if the experiences influenced anxiety 2–9 years later.

Results

The siblings reported poor knowledge and experienced a lack of communication about their brother's/sister's death, for example, about the time frame, bodily changes near death, and about their own experiences. Siblings who reported that no one talked with them about what to expect when their brother/sister was going to die reported higher levels of anxiety 2–9 years after the loss. Seventy percent reported that they witnessed their brother/sister suffering in the last hours in life. Many of those who were not present during the illness period and at the time of death expressed regret.

Conclusion

It is important to prepare siblings for their brother's/sister's illness and death as it may decrease anxiety and regrets later on

National Category
Health Sciences
Research subject
Research Profiles 2009-2020, Health and Welfare
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:du-19045 (URN)10.1002/pon.3941 (DOI)000373905700007 ()26260031 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-84939174023 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2015-08-19 Created: 2015-08-19 Last updated: 2021-11-12Bibliographically approved
Lövgren, M. & Eilegård, A. (2014). Bereaved siblings' advice to health-care professionals working with children with cancer and their siblings. In: : . Paper presented at 2nd Congress on Paediatric Palliative Care - a Global Gathering, 19-21 November, Rome.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Bereaved siblings' advice to health-care professionals working with children with cancer and their siblings
2014 (English)Conference paper, Oral presentation with published abstract (Other academic)
Abstract [sv]

Syskons råd till vårdpersonal: En nationell uppföljning 2 till 9 år efter förlusten av en bror eller syster i cancer

Lövgren, M., Grenklo-Bylund, T., Jalmsell, L., Eilegård, A., Kreicbergs, U.

Bakgrund: När ett barn drabbas av cancer förändras livet för hela familjen. De friska syskonen kan uppleva minskad uppmärksamhet från föräldrar, svårigheter i skolan samt post-traumatiska stress symtom. För att förbättra situationen för syskon till cancersjuka barn syftar denna studie till att undersöka vilka råd syskon ger vårdpersonal som arbetar med cancersjuka barn och deras familjer.

Metod: År 2009 genomfördes en rikstäckande enkätstudie av syskon som mist en bror eller syster i cancer två till nio år tidigare. Av 240 inbjudna syskon deltog 174 (73 %). Dessa har svarat på en öppen fråga om vilka råd de skulle vilja ge till vårdpersonal som arbetar med barn med cancer och deras familjer. För att erhålla större förståelse för svaren på den öppna frågan hölls en fokusgruppdiskussion 2014 med syskon som mist en bror eller syster. Data har bearbetats med innehållsanalys. 

Resultat: Det vanligaste rådet syskonen gav till vårdpersonal var att de ville få psykosocialt stöd. Informationen kring patientens sjukdom och vård behövde förbättras liksom möjligheten för syskon att få vara mer delaktiga i sin bror/systers vård. Syskonen önskade att vårdpersonalen skulle visa mer empati, vara ”naturlig”, samt förmedla hopp men ändå vara realistiska. De önskade stödjande åtgärder från diagnos till år efter dödsfallet. Råd om den fysiska vårdmiljön framkom också liksom vikten av att föräldrarna fick stöd i att få syskonen delaktiga i patientens vård.

Slutsats: Det behövs en utveckling av interventioner framförallt gällande psykosocialt stöd, information samt involvering av syskon från diagnos till år efter dödsfallet. Stöd till föräldrar om hur de kan involvera syskon bättre behövs också.  

National Category
Health Sciences
Research subject
Research Profiles 2009-2020, Health and Welfare
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:du-19047 (URN)
Conference
2nd Congress on Paediatric Palliative Care - a Global Gathering, 19-21 November, Rome
Available from: 2015-08-19 Created: 2015-08-19 Last updated: 2021-11-12Bibliographically approved
Organisations
Identifiers
ORCID iD: ORCID iD iconorcid.org/0000-0002-6133-8975

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