A clinical report on group intervention in bereavement

Research suggests that the bereaved are at high risk for a variety of psycho-social problems and physical illnesses. A group support program for the bereaved is described. Characteristics of group members are presented along with the results of a follow-up questionnaire to former participants. Also discussed are a number of issues that are important in the conducting of a grief support group. These are: whether the group should be therapeutic or supportive; the nature of the professionals' roles; whether the group should be ongoing or time-limited; whether the group should be open or closed; group attendance; whether the group should be grief-focused or life-focused; the relationships among the group members; the effect of more than one family member on the group; the content of group sessions.