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Accessible summary What is known on the subject? According to estimates more than half of adult mental health service users are parents, but their experiences are largely lacking from research literature., Parental mental illness can often be viewed from a risk perspective., Parents with mental illness and their families have unmet support needs., What this paper adds to existing knowledge? Parents with mental illness want acknowledgement that they can be able and responsible., Many parents adopt an expert by experience identity., Fathers can feel their parental role is not recognized and mothers express fears of being judged if they discuss their illness., What are the implications for practice? Adult mental health services need to recognize and support parental role of service users., Joint care planning and family oriented care should be promoted., Professionals should take advantage of the knowledge of these parents and they could be more actively engaged in service development., Abstract Introduction Parental mental illness is often viewed from a risk perspective. Despite this, being a parent can be both valuable and motivating. Research literature lacks the perspective of mothers and fathers, who have experienced mental illness. Aim This study explores how parents with mental illness construct their identities as mothers and fathers and their experiences with health and social care services. Method Three focus groups with 19 participants were conducted in Finland and Scotland. Methods of discourse analysis have been used in to analyse the interview data. Results Adult service users want their parenting role recognized and supported. Parents have knowledge and skills which can be utilized and many have adopted an expert by experience identity. Discussion Being able to see oneself as a 'good' parent can be challenging but important. Parents may require support, but want to be included in the planning of their care. Services could make more use of the knowledge and skills parents and families have, and joint working could lessen parents' anxieties. Implications for practice Mental health practitioners are in a key position in providing more family centred, resource focused care. Service user expertise should be acknowledged in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scand J Caring Sci; 2010; 24; 734-745 During hospitalization patients need support from nursing staff. To improve the delivery of support during hospitalization, it is necessary to know more about how patient background factors and organizational factors are associated with patients` perceived access to support. This study describes hospital patients' perceived access to emotional and informational support from nursing staff. A further concern is with the associations of patient background factors (e.g. age, education, mode of admission) and various organizational factors (e.g. nurse to bed ratio, skill mix) with support. A quantitative research approach was applied. The data were collected from patients (n = 731) at a Finnish university hospital using a specially developed scale. The sample of hospital patients was drawn from the population by stratified random sampling. In addition, data were retrieved from the hospital's electronic database. During their stay in hospital, patients felt they received more emotional than informational support. Outpatients and elective inpatients reported receiving more support than inpatients and emergency patients. Having a named nurse was also positively associated with access to support. Staffing levels showed a positive association with patient access to support. On the other hand, the availability of support deteriorated when the number of emergency inpatients and the unit workload increased. Steps are needed to improve the provision of informational support to nursing care patients and to assess the methods of support provision. Patient support can also be improved by adopting the named nurse system. There is a significant association between organizational factors and patient access to support, which warrants further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. To compare mothers' and fathers' parenting satisfaction; to identify factors contributing to their parenting satisfaction; and to evaluate the effect of these factors.Background. Parenting satisfaction is important for parents' motivation to care, nurture and interact with their child. Parenting is influenced by attributes of parent, infant and the environment. However, more research is needed to understand the contributing factors.Design. Parenting satisfaction and several parent, infant and environment attributes were measured at hospital or in one week of discharge. A total of 2600 questionnaires were handed out to a convenience sample of Finnish speaking parents in two hospitals during the winter of 2006. Multiple-birth and early-discharge parents receiving support at home were excluded. Responses were received from 863 mothers (66%) and 525 fathers (40%).Methods. Comparisons were made by percentages and means. Significances were determined by GEE models and One Way ANOVA tests. Pearson's and Spearman's correlations were used to determine correlations and multiple regression analysis to clarify the effect size.Results. Mothers were more satisfied than fathers with their parenting. Self-concept, depressive symptoms, infant centrality, state of mind on discharge and perception of infant contributed most to parenting satisfaction. Family functioning, health and advice from personnel were major contributory factors as well.Conclusion. Hospital practices and social support from personnel did not correlate with parenting satisfaction. More research is recommended to evaluate them, since they had an effect when combined with other attributes.Relevance to clinical practice. Our results will help professionals understand the experiences, resources and challenges faced by parents. Family-oriented care and sound advice have the potential to offer the most supportive environment for both parents. If professionals can identify mothers who are afraid, concerned or insecure during pregnancy, they can also offer them extra support before the child is born. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. This paper is a report of study of parent, infant and environmental correlates of mothers' and fathers' perceptions of their parenting self-efficacy. Background. Many parents are not confident in their ability to be good parents. Parenting self-efficacy is important for parents' sense of well-being, is a possible predictor of parenting practices and might be an indicator of risk. However, very little evidence exists on factors that influence fathers' perceptions of parenting, or comparisons between the parents. Methods. The data were collected by questionnaire in 2006-2007 in two hospitals with a convenience sample of Finnish-speaking parents (N = 1300 families) during the first postpartum week. Multiple-birth and early-discharge parents were excluded. The response rate for mothers was 66% (n = 863) and for fathers 40% (n = 525). Comparisons were made by percentages and means. Statistical significance was determined by Generalized Estimating Equations models and one-way anova. Pearson's and Spearman's correlation coefficients were used to determine correlations, and multiple regression analysis to clarify the effect size. Results. Mothers scored higher than fathers on parenting self-efficacy. Parity, self-concept, depressive symptoms and state of mind on discharge contributed to parenting self-efficacy. Experiences of childbirth and life change correlated with mothers', but not with fathers', parenting self-efficacy. Perceptions of infant, family functioning, health and advice from personnel were major contributory factors. Conclusion. Assessments of parenting self-efficacy are recommended to identify at-risk groups and at-risk parents. More research is recommended to look into the effect of rooming-in, feeding practices, fathers' presence and social support from personnel and parenting self-efficacy and to evaluate risk scales for at-risk parents. Parent attributes had a greater effect on mothers' parenting self-efficacy, while environmental attributes had a greater effect on fathers' parenting self-efficacy. At-risk parents can be supported by conducting face-to-face discussions about significant topics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Title. Health-related quality of life after coronary artery bypass grafting.Aim. The purpose of this study was to monitor changes in health-related quality of life and to identify associated factors among patients having coronary artery bypass grafting and their significant others.Background. Heart disease and its treatment affects the lives of both patients and their significant others, and the early stage of recovery from surgery causes particular anxiety for both.Method. In this longitudinal study, three sets of questionnaire data were collected 1, 6 and 12 months after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery from patients and significant others at one university hospital in Finland in 2001-2005. We recruited all patients who had been admitted for elective coronary artery bypass grafting surgery during the period specified. The data consisted of the responses from those patients and significant others who had completed all three questionnaires and for whom patient-significant other pairs existed ( n = 163).Findings. Patients' and their significant others' health-related quality of life was at its lowest one month after the operation and improved during follow-up. The change in the mean health-related quality of life score differed between patients and significant others; the improvement in the patients' health-related quality of life was greater than that in the significant others. Neither the background variables used in the study nor social support were associated with change in health-related quality of life.Conclusion. Further research is needed to identify factors explaining the change in health-related quality of life to develop interventions to support patients and significant others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients (N = 367) and significant others (N = 367) and to identify factors associated with HRQoL after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: HRQoL was measured by the 15D in 3 stages: 1, 6, and 12 months after CABG. The focus in this study is on HRQoL at the second (6 months) and third (12 months) stages of the recovery process. Stepwise linear regression analysis was used to identify the associations of independent variables with HRQoL. RESULTS: Patients had a lower HRQoL than significant others in both stages after CABG. The HRQoL of patients and significant others was explained by their HRQoL 1 month after the operation. Other significant explanatory factors among patients were cardiac symptoms on physical exertion and other additional diseases. Among significant others, chronic diseases were associated with HRQoL. CONCLUSION: The HRQoL of patients and significant others differed from each other at both 6 and 12 months after CABG. Previous HRQoL affects later HRQoL in both patients and significant others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. To describe informal carers' coping strategies and their experiences of the support provided by respite care. Background. The target set in the Finnish national old age policy strategy is that 90% of the population over 75 should be able to live at home. A major source of support for older people and their families is respite care in an institution. Design. Survey. Methods. The data were collected among informal carers who regularly use respite care services ( n = 143). Two structured questionnaires were used: the Carers' Assessment of Managing Index ( Nolan et al. 1995 ) and an index developed by the researchers. Results. Informal carers who provided care for younger individuals or people who needed less help had a better quality of life. Spouse carers and older informal carers were less satisfied with their quality of life than younger carers. Periods of respite care had a major influence on informal carers' quality of life: 93% said they felt invigorated. Care periods remained rather isolated episodes in the lives of the older patients in that there was hardly any discussion at the institution about the family's situation, the objectives of respite care, or about how the informal carer was coping. Altogether, 47% of the nurses remained fairly distant. The most useful coping strategies involved creating alternative perspectives in the caring relationship. Conclusions. The results strengthen the knowledge base of informal caregiving by showing how caregivers cope and what kind of support they need in their demanding caring role. Relevance to clinical practice. Respite care nurses should invest greater effort in supporting informal carers. The service should be developed as an integral part of home care for older people. Nurses and informal carers should see each other as partners who share a common goal, i.e. the well-being of the entire family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. To describe and compare the health-related quality of life of patients and their significant others and to identify factors associated with health-related quality of life one month after coronary artery bypass surgery. Background. Heart disease and coronary artery bypass surgery affect the life of patients and their significant others. Following surgery, some patients might feel their quality of life is poor. Significant others are a major source of support for patients; therefore, it is important to know how their health-related quality of life is affected. Methods. This study is part of a major longitudinal research project. The questionnaire data for the study were collected one month after the surgical procedure from 270 patients and 240 significant others at one Finnish university hospital. Data analysis was by descriptive and inferential statistics. Stepwise linear regression analysis was used as a multivariate method. Results. Coronary artery bypass grafting patients had a poorer health-related quality of life than both the age and gender-standardised general population and their significant others. Significant others, on the other hand, had the same health-related quality of life as the general population. In patients, health-related quality of life was associated with the occurrence of cardiac symptoms and New York Heart Association class; in significant others, it was explained by chronic illnesses, employment, gender and emotional support received from members of the support network. Conclusion. In the early stages of recovery, the health-related quality of life of coronary artery bypass grafting patients is inferior to that of the general population. There are also differences in the health-related quality of life of patients and their significant others. Relevance to clinical practice. Postcoronary artery bypass grafting rehabilitation programmes should provide support for both patients and significant others through networks that involve both professionals and peer supporters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this systematic review were first, to describe how breastfeeding is professionally supported during pregnancy, at maternity hospitals and during the postnatal period. Secondly, to find out how effective interventions are in supporting breastfeeding. BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding is an effective way to promote the health of infants. In many countries, the rates for breastfeeding remain lower than recommended. Many studies have examined breastfeeding promotion interventions; some of them are successful and some fail. It is important to find effective combinations of support. DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: Search of CINAHL, Medline and Cochrane Central Register databases were conducted for data collection. The search was limited to articles published in Finnish, Swedish and English between the year 2000 and March 2006, focusing on breastfeeding and breastfeeding support interventions. Two reviewers independently analysed 36 articles in the final analysis. RESULTS: Interventions expanding from pregnancy to the intrapartum period and throughout the postnatal period were more effective than interventions concentrating on a shorter period. In addition, intervention packages using various methods of education and support from well-trained professionals are more effective than interventions concentrating on a single method. CONCLUSIONS: During pregnancy, the effective interventions were interactive, involving mothers in conversation. The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) as well as practical hands off -teaching, when combined with support and encouragement, were effective approaches. Postnatally effective were home visits, telephone support and breastfeeding centres combined with peer support. Relevance to clinical practice. Professionals need breastfeeding education and support of their organisations to act as breastfeeding supporters. The BFHI -programme is effective and it would be wise to include the core components of the programme in breastfeeding promotion interventions. Mothers benefit from breastfeeding encouragement and guidance that supports their self-efficacy and feelings of being capable and empowered, and is tailored to their individual needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to answer three questions: first, what methods have been used to measure patient assessments of the quality of care? Second, how do outpatients rate their care? And third, what needs to be taken into account in measuring patient assessments of the quality of care? METHODS: Systematic review of the literature. Electronic searches were conducted on Medline, CINAHL and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. To be included, articles were to deal with patients' assessments of health care in ambulatory units for somatic adult patients. They were to have been published between January 2000 and May 2005, written in English, Swedish or Finnish with an English abstract, and the research was to have been conducted in Europe. The search terms used were: ambulatory care, ambulatory care facilities, outpatient, outpatients, patient satisfaction and quality of health care. The articles were screened by two independent reviewers in three phases. RESULTS: Thirty-five articles were included. The quality of care was measured using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Only a few studies relied on the single criterion of patient satisfaction for quality measurements. It is easy to identify common sources of dissatisfaction in different studies. Sources of satisfaction are more closely dependent on the target population, the context and research design. CONCLUSION: Patient satisfaction is widely used as one indicator among others in assessing the quality of outpatient care. However, there is no single, universally accepted method for measuring this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Patients and significant others may experience physical and psychological stress symptoms during the recovery time from coronary artery bypass surgery. It has been shown that social support is associated with health and well-being in various situations. It is important to study how patients and significant others describe the social support received. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To describe social support for bypass surgery patients and their significant others from the social network and nurses during hospitalization and the association between demographic variables and support received from nurses. DESIGN: A descriptive study using a questionnaire. This was a pilot study. METHOD: Questionnaires were mailed to 146 subjects and 103 responded. The questionnaires included background variables, the Social Support from the Social Network Scale and the Support from Nurses during Hospitalization Scale. RESULTS: In most cases, the spouse, children and friends were the major sources of support for patients and significant others. Patients reported equal amounts of both affect and aid or concrete support while significant others reported the highest level of affect and the lowest level of affirmation from the social network. Patients and significant others reported the highest level of affirmation and the lowest level of aid from nurses during hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: Relatives are important sources of support for bypass surgery patients and their significant others. Patients reported higher levels of all types of social support from both the social network and nurses than did significant others. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The provision of nursing support for significant others can be enhanced by focusing nursing care on the whole family. This would promote the health of the whole family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe purpose of the study was to describe how staff members experience the death of a child and how they support the grieving family. The goal is to find means to improve supporting activities in the university hospital. The data for this study were collected with a questionnaire given to the staff who encounter the death of a foetus or infant at their work (n = 102). The questionnaire contained both structured and open-ended questions. Altogether, 69 members of the staff (68%) answered the questionnaire. The open-ended questions were analysed using content analysis. The staff experiences of a child’s death manifested themselves in grief, feelings of injustice, experiences of one’s limited resources, and relief. About half (51%) of the respondents estimated that they were able to support families rather well. Education in supporting the grieving family increased the ability to support families. Social support for families included emotional, informational, and concrete support. The majority of the staff expected support from colleagues after the death of a child. The study results show that the hospital staff supports the grieving family, but also recognizes their inadequacy as supporters. The staff also needs support in order to be able to support the grieving family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The death of a spouse is one of the most stressful events in a person's life. Social support has been shown to be widely beneficial in moderating the effects of both chronic and acute stress. The answers of Finnish widows and widowers (n=318) were analysed in order to investigate the sources of social support, what is the nature of support received, and whether social support is connected with coping with grief. The Hogan Grief Reactions Checklist was used to describe the grief as well as answers to open-ended questions about what helped the widowed persons cope with their grief. Kahn's theory of social support was used as a framework in the content analysis of the open-ended answers. The results showed that Finnish widows and widowers receive social support most often from their own family and friends. They perceived the received support most helpful, but also the support that the grieving person can give to other family members is seen as important. Results suggest that those who had had social support were able to grieve by allowing themselves to disorganize and experience panic behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the context of an international comparative grief project, the goal of this study has been to compare the grief reactions of grieving Finnish women and men who had lost their spouse within a period of either less than or more than 2 years prior the study. The sample consisted of women (n=242) and men (n=76) who had lost a spouse between the ages of 25 and 65 years at the time of their death. Two instruments were used in data collection: a sociodemographic instrument and the Hogan Grief Reactions Checklist, developed in the USA. In comparing the different dimensions of grief in the subgroups divided by the bereavement time, there were significant differences in the grief reactions. Despair and disorganization diminished over time. Panic behaviour and detachment dimensions also showed differences although they were not statistically significant. The widowers who lost their spouse more than 2 years prior to the study displayed their feelings of blame and anger more than the widows. Results showed that if the death had occurred less than 2 years prior to the study there were no differences between the groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore public health nurses' competence (namely knowledge, skills, and attitudes) in relation to long-term breastfeeding and their experience of the need for additional training on the subject., Design: The study design was quantitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional., Sample: Public health nurses (n = 270)., Methods: Data were collected with the Long-Term Breastfeeding Competence Scale (LBCS) online survey. Data analysis was done with Spearman's correlation analysis and binary logistic regression analysis., Results: Slightly more than half of the respondents had a good level of knowledge and skills. The majority had a baseline positive attitude toward long-term breastfeeding, but the attitude became more negative as the age of the breastfed child increased. Better competence was associated with younger age, parenthood, an additional degree in midwifery, and breastfeeding specialist certification. Knowledge and skills, and attitudes revealed a high correlation: the higher the knowledge and skills level, the more positive attitudes. Respondents with better knowledge and skills experienced more often the need for additional training on the subject., Conclusions: This study addresses that public health nurses lack competence in relation to long-term breastfeeding. This may compromise the quality of breastfeeding guidance for families in healthcare settings., (© 2024 The Author(s). Public Health Nursing published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Although research interest in fear of childbirth has increased, interventions targeting especially multiparas with fear of childbirth have been overlooked, although untreated fear can cause serious adverse effects on the mother and the whole family. Thus MOTIVE (Multiparas overcoming Childbirth Fear Through Intervention and Empowerment), an intervention for pregnant multiparas with fear of childbirth, was designed., Methods: This is a protocol of a single-arm non-randomized feasibility study of the MOTIVE trial with a mixed-methods design. The primary aim of the intervention is to assist pregnant multiparas with fear of childbirth, with the desired outcome to alleviate fear. MOTIVE consists of four group sessions (2 h each); three during pregnancy and one after giving birth and in addition of a phone call after birth. The intervention is provided by a midwife and a psychiatric nurse at the maternity hospital. Quantitative data will be gathered via self-report questionnaires at three time points, at baseline, at 4 weeks post-baseline and post-intervention. Qualitative data will be gathered by diaries, open-ended questions from post-intervention questionnaires, and individual interviews. The target is to assemble four groups of four multiparas over a 12-month period., Discussion: The findings will provide insights into the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and will inform revisions to it. The results will guide the development of a definitive, larger-scale trial evaluation to further examine the efficacy of the refined intervention., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: This work was supported by a PhD studentship provided by Tampere University, and grants from the Finnish Federation of Midwives and the Finnish Cultural Foundation., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Continuing bond manifesting as unexplainable experiences reflects bereaved´s attempts to restore connection with the deceased. As an experience unaligned with a person's overall schemas of meaning unexplainable experiences are a source of anxiety that individuals aim to alleviate by attribution thinking. This study describes how bereaved aim to explain unexplainable experiences related to the death of their loved ones. The study analysed 408 narratives of 181 bereaved individuals. Bereaved individuals (1) described the meaning of their experience to be receaving information, emotions or support by the experience and communicating about crossing the boundary between life and death. As (2) reflections on the cause of their experiences bereaved individuals described certain and uncertain explanations of the phenomenon, ruling out explanations and the compatibility or incompatibility of the experience with their prior worldviews. The process of attribution thinking must be perceived as meaningful regardless of the outcome of the bereaved person's reflection., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Background: Health professionals need adequate competence to support breastfeeding beyond infancy. There is no established instrument to measure health professionals' competence regarding long-term breastfeeding. To respond to this shortcoming, the Long-Term Breastfeeding Competence Scale (LBCS) was developed., Research Aim: To develop and pilot an instrument that measures public health nurses' competence related to breastfeeding beyond 12 months in order to provide adequate breastfeeding counseling for families., Methods: This study was conducted as a cross-sectional online survey on public health nurses working in maternity and/or child health clinics. The relevance and clarity of the LBCS were assessed by an expert panel ( N  = 6). Public health nurses ( N  = 197) completed the LBCS, which consisted of a knowledge and skills dimension and an attitude dimension. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the characteristics of the study sample. The conceptual validity of the knowledge and skills dimension was assessed using the dichotomous Rasch analysis, and attitude dimension using the exploratory factor analysis. Internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha. The distribution of the items was summarized by descriptive statistics., Results: According to expert panel evaluations, the LBCS was found to meet the requirements for relevance and clarity (S-CVI 0.90). The internal consistency of the instrument was at a good level ( α  = 0.796) and met the requirements set for a new instrument., Conclusion: The LBCS is appropriate to determine public health nurses' competence related to breastfeeding beyond 12 months. The LBCS can be used to identify the need for education concerning breastfeeding beyond 12 months., Competing Interests: Disclosures and Conflicts of InterestThe authors declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: The authors disclosed no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. Dr. Katri Vehviläinen-Julkunen and Dr. Riikka Ikonen served on the Master’s Degree Program Committee for co-corresponding author Niina Pöyhönen. In addition, Dr. Marja Kaunonen and Dr. Riikka Ikonen served on the Doctoral Committee for co-corresponding author Oona Ojantausta during her doctoral program.

Aim: To describe the childhood experiences of patients with polio from the acute phase of the disease during post-war Finland in the 1950s and 1960s., Design: Qualitative empirical study based on self-reported history of nursing rooted in the past, a history of experiences., Methodology: Interview materials were gathered in the form of themes (45) and written interviews (4) (29 September 2018 to 30 June 2019). Data were analysed by reflexive thematic analysis to highlight hidden and latent experiences. This approach generated the study's main theme, themes and subthemes., Results: The main theme, 'shattered childhood', generated from the study results and was then divided into two themes, both of which were influenced in part by the loss of a familiar childhood, the changed environment, the breakdown of the body and the absence of control. Through their childhood memories, polio survivors described their broken childhoods using the following themes: 'betrayal by their bodies' and 'isolation'. In the narratives, the theme 'betrayal by one's own body' was generated by the following subthemes: 'suddenness of the affliction', 'paralysis' and 'being moved to the hospital'. The 'isolation' theme developed from the subthemes 'isolation from the body and surroundings' and 'emotional and social loneliness'., Conclusion: Polio survivors' experiences during the acute stage of the disease were traumatic and demonstrated children's inferior nursing position in Finland in the 1950s and 1960s., Impact: The study increases our understanding of the history of caring for children and families who were affected and disabled by polio and the importance of their experiences in society and healthcare settings., Patient or Public Contribution: The authors collaborated with the Finnish Polio Association to recruit study participants and plan the study. Patients with polio during childhood underwent interviews, and their experiences formulated the data, which were analysed and the basis of the results., Reporting Method: Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ), a 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups, have been used as a reporting and checklist tool. All authors have agreed on the final version and the use of the COREQ criteria, relationship with participants, theoretical framework, setting, data collection and data analysis and report., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Advanced Nursing published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Unexplained experiences are common among bereaved people and are a natural part of grieving, but their consequences may affect their coping with grief. However, professionals lack awareness of these unexplained experiences, which may lead to an unnecessary pathologising of the experiences and a lack of opportunity for the bereaved to process their experiences in a safe environment. The study involved an inductive content analysis of 408 narratives of the consequences of unexplained experiences shared by 181 bereaved individuals. The consequences of the unexplained experiences were: (1) Experiencing after-effects which may alleviate or aggravate wellbeing, as well as be life-affecting; (2) consequences related to sharing or concealing the experiences, and the reactions of others to recounting the experience; (3) documenting the experience through videography, photography and keeping mementos. In conclusion, these experiences have consequences to bereaved which needs to be taken account in support interventions aimed at bereaved individuals., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.