A controlled trial of brief psychotherapy and mutual-help group treatment of conjugal bereavement

Am J Psychiatry. 1988 Feb;145(2):203-9. doi: 10.1176/ajp.145.2.203.

Abstract

Sixty-one women who sought treatment for unresolved grief reactions 4 months to 3 years after the death of their husbands were randomly assigned to either brief dynamic psychotherapy with experienced clinicians or mutual-help group treatment led by nonclinicians. Women in both groups experienced a reduction in stress-specific and general symptoms as well as improvement in social and work functioning. Women in the brief psychotherapy group showed a greater decline in one measure of general symptoms, and there was greater attrition in the group treatment condition. When two subgroups who had completed the majority of sessions were compared, treatments were found to be equally effective.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anxiety / therapy
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Depression / therapy
  • Female
  • Grief*
  • Humans
  • Life Change Events
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Psychotherapy, Brief*
  • Self-Help Groups*
  • Single Person / psychology*
  • Social Adjustment