Managing Anticipatory Grief in Family and Partners: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Meta-Synthesis

Almost every person is affected by grief at some point during their lifetime. However, the majority of grief research has focused on the experiences and perspectives of individuals after loss. Grief can be expected or unexpected depending on the nature of loved one’s death. Like postdeath grief, individuals who expect the impending loss of a loved one may feel uncertainty, fear, and sadness, which can lead to a number of adverse outcomes on their health. Some research labels the predeath experience as anticipatory grief (AG). In this qualitative systematic review, we analyze 13 studies to examine how caregivers of terminally ill patients experience AG. First, we identify the four stages of AG: time of diagnosis, transition to hospice care, nearing death, and the moment of death. We highlight the characteristics of each stage and the coping mechanisms that family used to navigate them. Second, we discuss how AG influences family and partner roles and responsibilities. We also examine the interplay between caregiving motivations and activities, and the four stages of AG. We consider the relationship between AG, caregiving, and postdeath adjustment, including physical and mental health outcomes.