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Examining the Effects of Bereavement on Emotionally Close Individuals Following a Failed Resuscitation Attempt After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Mixed Methods Approach / Rhian Lewis

Swansea University Author: Rhian Lewis

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DOI (Published version): 10.23889/SUthesis.68902

Abstract

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA) is a critical emergency where NHS ambulance trusts and national campaigns strive to minimise morbidity and mortality. However, the psychological burden on loved ones who witness or participate in resuscitation attempts is often overlooked amidst the focus on pa...

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Published: Swansea, Wales, UK 2025
Institution: Swansea University
Degree level: Doctoral
Degree name: Ph.D
Supervisor: Bennett, P. ; Dienes, K.
URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68902
first_indexed 2025-02-17T14:03:32Z
last_indexed 2025-02-18T05:40:26Z
id cronfa68902
recordtype RisThesis
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spelling 2025-02-17T14:17:21.5313113 v2 68902 2025-02-17 Examining the Effects of Bereavement on Emotionally Close Individuals Following a Failed Resuscitation Attempt After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Mixed Methods Approach b567b34b4c44423824ae807f6c0976f2 Rhian Lewis Rhian Lewis true false 2025-02-17 PSYS Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA) is a critical emergency where NHS ambulance trusts and national campaigns strive to minimise morbidity and mortality. However, the psychological burden on loved ones who witness or participate in resuscitation attempts is often overlooked amidst the focus on patient outcomes. This thesis explores the emotional and psychological impact on emotionally close individuals involved in failed resuscitation attempts during OOHCA. Using a mixed-methods approach, the findings reveal that witnessing a failed resuscitation attempt significantly increases the risk of Complicated Grief (CG) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Those who do not attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) are particularly vulnerable to poor grief trajectories and higher levels of self-blame. Attempting CPR, even when unsuccessful, can mitigate the longer-term psychological impact, shaping healthier grief trajectories. The qualitative analysis highlights themes such as 'Griefmentia,' describing the cognitive and emotional burden experienced, which hinders healthy adaptation to loss. These findings underscore the profound emotional and cognitive challenges faced by relatives, where the suddenness and finality of loss intertwine with trauma, amplifying the need for holistic care. Promoting bystander CPR through national campaigns is critical. Messaging should balance the broader benefits of CPR with acknowledgment of the potential emotional burden on bystanders. Education should empower individuals, reduce guilt, and encourage proactive responses. Early transdiagnostic interventions may help to reduce long-term psychological distress and benefit healthcare systems by lowering costs. This research contributes valuable insights into the intersection of grief and trauma in OOHCA, emphasising the need for tailored bereavement care and service evaluations to improve support strategies. Addressing these challenges in clinical practice and public health initiatives is essential for reducing emotional distress and enhancing well-being among those affected by sudden cardiac death. In essence, this thesis underscores the importance of integrating emotional and psychological support into the broader efforts championed by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), enhancing the holistic care of individuals affected by cardiac emergencies. E-Thesis Swansea, Wales, UK Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest; Grief; Bereavement; Trauma; Post-Traumatic Stress; Complicated Grief; Sudden Death; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation 7 2 2025 2025-02-07 10.23889/SUthesis.68902 COLLEGE NANME Psychology School COLLEGE CODE PSYS Swansea University Bennett, P. ; Dienes, K. Doctoral Ph.D British Heart Foundation (FS/13/39/30370) British Heart Foundation (FS/13/39/30370) 2025-02-17T14:17:21.5313113 2025-02-17T13:58:51.8835601 Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences School of Psychology Rhian Lewis 1 68902__33602__c928443251e9464681b785e086363cd5.pdf Lewis_Rhian_E_PhD_Thesis_Final_Cronfa.pdf 2025-02-17T14:15:19.3968687 Output 6033572 application/pdf E-Thesis – open access true Copyright: The Author, Rhian Elizabeth Lewis, 2025. true eng
title Examining the Effects of Bereavement on Emotionally Close Individuals Following a Failed Resuscitation Attempt After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Mixed Methods Approach
spellingShingle Examining the Effects of Bereavement on Emotionally Close Individuals Following a Failed Resuscitation Attempt After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Mixed Methods Approach
Rhian Lewis
title_short Examining the Effects of Bereavement on Emotionally Close Individuals Following a Failed Resuscitation Attempt After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Mixed Methods Approach
title_full Examining the Effects of Bereavement on Emotionally Close Individuals Following a Failed Resuscitation Attempt After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Mixed Methods Approach
title_fullStr Examining the Effects of Bereavement on Emotionally Close Individuals Following a Failed Resuscitation Attempt After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Mixed Methods Approach
title_full_unstemmed Examining the Effects of Bereavement on Emotionally Close Individuals Following a Failed Resuscitation Attempt After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Mixed Methods Approach
title_sort Examining the Effects of Bereavement on Emotionally Close Individuals Following a Failed Resuscitation Attempt After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Mixed Methods Approach
author_id_str_mv b567b34b4c44423824ae807f6c0976f2
author_id_fullname_str_mv b567b34b4c44423824ae807f6c0976f2_***_Rhian Lewis
author Rhian Lewis
author2 Rhian Lewis
format E-Thesis
publishDate 2025
institution Swansea University
doi_str_mv 10.23889/SUthesis.68902
college_str Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
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hierarchy_top_id facultyofmedicinehealthandlifesciences
hierarchy_top_title Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
hierarchy_parent_id facultyofmedicinehealthandlifesciences
hierarchy_parent_title Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
department_str School of Psychology{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences{{{_:::_}}}School of Psychology
document_store_str 1
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description Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA) is a critical emergency where NHS ambulance trusts and national campaigns strive to minimise morbidity and mortality. However, the psychological burden on loved ones who witness or participate in resuscitation attempts is often overlooked amidst the focus on patient outcomes. This thesis explores the emotional and psychological impact on emotionally close individuals involved in failed resuscitation attempts during OOHCA. Using a mixed-methods approach, the findings reveal that witnessing a failed resuscitation attempt significantly increases the risk of Complicated Grief (CG) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Those who do not attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) are particularly vulnerable to poor grief trajectories and higher levels of self-blame. Attempting CPR, even when unsuccessful, can mitigate the longer-term psychological impact, shaping healthier grief trajectories. The qualitative analysis highlights themes such as 'Griefmentia,' describing the cognitive and emotional burden experienced, which hinders healthy adaptation to loss. These findings underscore the profound emotional and cognitive challenges faced by relatives, where the suddenness and finality of loss intertwine with trauma, amplifying the need for holistic care. Promoting bystander CPR through national campaigns is critical. Messaging should balance the broader benefits of CPR with acknowledgment of the potential emotional burden on bystanders. Education should empower individuals, reduce guilt, and encourage proactive responses. Early transdiagnostic interventions may help to reduce long-term psychological distress and benefit healthcare systems by lowering costs. This research contributes valuable insights into the intersection of grief and trauma in OOHCA, emphasising the need for tailored bereavement care and service evaluations to improve support strategies. Addressing these challenges in clinical practice and public health initiatives is essential for reducing emotional distress and enhancing well-being among those affected by sudden cardiac death. In essence, this thesis underscores the importance of integrating emotional and psychological support into the broader efforts championed by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), enhancing the holistic care of individuals affected by cardiac emergencies.
published_date 2025-02-07T05:20:56Z
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score 11.089864

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