Exploring the grief journey of bereaved spouses: Insights into the impact of sedation within palliative care

Despite being the most susceptible to psychopathological consequences, bereaved cancer spouses remain a vastly understudied group. Addressing this gap, a dedicated French research team comprising clinical psychologists, philosophers, and physicians is conducting an ongoing study focused on the emotional and affective complexities experienced by bereaved spouses after the loss of a loved one due to oncological diseases within the realm of palliative care and Continuous Deep Sedation until Death (CDSD). The preliminary data presented below concern the analysis of nine semi-directed interviews analyzed using ALCESTE software, a tool for statistical analysis of textual data based on word co-occurrences. Analysis and comparison of the thematic categories that emerged showed that social support, deep loneliness, and the preservation of memories emerged as central elements of the marital bereavement experience. In addition, the study highlights the critical role of comprehensive palliative care in France and the delicate nature of sedation experiences, revealing intense emotions such as helplessness and anger. Clear communication and active family participation in end-of-life decisions emerged as crucial factors in alleviating the grieving process in spouses. These findings provide valuable insights for healthcare professionals and counselors and underscore the critical need for further research focused on sedation.