Journal of palliative medicine
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Demoralization is a syndrome of existential distress characterized by loss of meaning and purpose in life, hopelessness, and helplessness. Empirical data on its occurrence and associated factors in terminally ill patients is limited. ⋯ Demoralization is a significant dimension of distress in terminally ill cancer patients. In the end-of-life inpatient care setting, the preference to discuss expected survival with a physician can parallel existential distress and anxiety. Further elucidation of patients' underlying existential needs will inform interventions that sustain meaning and hope in face of a limited life expectancy.
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Observational Study
Psychological Well-Being and Family Environment of Siblings of Children with Life Threatening Illness.
The psychological well-being of siblings of children with life threatening illness remains largely uncharted. Pediatric cancer research suggests that a supportive family environment may protect the psychological well-being of siblings. ⋯ Siblings of pediatric palliative care patients are not experiencing lower psychological well-being than the general population. The prediction that a positive family environment would be associated with higher levels of psychological health was supported.