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Failures in Reflective Functioning and Reported Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Bereaved Individuals: A Study on a Sample of Family Caregivers of Palliative Care Patients

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  • Vittorio Lenzo

    (Department of Social and Educational Sciences of the Mediterranean Area, University for Foreigners “Dante Alighieri” of Reggio Calabria, 89125 Reggio Calabria, Italy
    Sisifo-Consortium of Social Cooperatives, 95125 Catania, Italy)

  • Alberto Sardella

    (Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy)

  • Alessandro Musetti

    (Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Cultural Industries, University of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy)

  • Maria Cristina Petralia

    (Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy)

  • Irene Grado

    (Sisifo-Consortium of Social Cooperatives, 95125 Catania, Italy)

  • Maria C. Quattropani

    (Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy)

Abstract

Introduction. This study aims at examining the role of failures in reflective functioning in predicting anxiety and depression among family caregivers of palliative care patients deceased for at least one year. Methods. A sample of 157 bereaved participants (77.1% females, mean age = 43.50 ± 14.04 years) completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ). Results. Results of the correlational analysis showed that anxiety was positively correlated with uncertainty about mental states, indicating one type of impairment in reflective functioning. Anxiety was also negatively correlated with the certainty about mental states. Depression was negatively correlated with certainty but not with uncertainty about mental states. The results of regression analysis indicated that gender and certainty about mental states were statistically significant predictors of anxiety, with the final model explaining 23% of the variance. The results also showed that gender, the condition of being the main caregiver, and the certainty about mental states were significant predictors of depression, with the final model predicting 14% of the variance. Conclusions. Overall, the results of this study point out that the bereaved individuals who scored low on certainty about mental states reported more symptoms of anxiety and depression. Psychological interventions to prevent mental disorders and to promote psychological health in the context of palliative care should carefully consider these findings.

Suggested Citation

  • Vittorio Lenzo & Alberto Sardella & Alessandro Musetti & Maria Cristina Petralia & Irene Grado & Maria C. Quattropani, 2022. "Failures in Reflective Functioning and Reported Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Bereaved Individuals: A Study on a Sample of Family Caregivers of Palliative Care Patients," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-9, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:11930-:d:920718
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    1. Niccolò Morandotti & Natascia Brondino & Alessia Merelli & Annalisa Boldrini & Giulia Zelda De Vidovich & Sara Ricciardo & Vera Abbiati & Paolo Ambrosi & Edgardo Caverzasi & Peter Fonagy & Patrick Luy, 2018. "The Italian version of the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire: Validity data for adults and its association with severity of borderline personality disorder," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(11), pages 1-13, November.
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