Predictors of Grief in Bereaved Family Caregivers of Person\u27s with Alzheimer\u27s Disease: A Prospective Study

The purpose of this prospective study was to identify factors in 66 spouses and adult child caregivers of person\u27s with Alzheimer\u27s disease prior to the death that predicted higher levels of grief in bereavement. A hierarchical regression model was tested. Pre-death grief, dysfunctional coping, depression, social support, and decreased positive states of mind explained 54.7% of the variance in post-death grief. Factors that contributed significantly to post-death grief included pre-death grief and depression. Results from this study indicate that risk factors for post-death grief can be predicted prior to the death