• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.263-283
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• 2016

The present study aimed at examining the factor structure, reliability and validity of the Korean version of the Continuing Bonds Scale (K-CBS). In study 1, exploratory factor analysis was administered to 293 bereaved adults who had experienced the death of a loved one, and it revealed a single factor structure with 10 items that explained 52.59% of the total variance. The K-CBS showed good internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha of .92. In study 2, confirmatory factor analysis in a different sample of 200 bereaved adults indicated satisfactory standardized regression weights of all items. However, one item had a squared multiple correlation less than .40, hence, this item was discarded, and 9 items remained for the final scale. The single factor model with 9 items displayed a good fit. The K-CBS had strong positive correlation with grief symptoms, and weak positive correlation with depression. After controlling for grief, however, the K-CBS was predictive of a decrease in depression. The K-CBS was positively associated with posttraumatic growth. In addition, significant differences in scores of the K-CBS were shown among groups based on the deceased's relation to the bereaved and expectedness of loss. These results suggest that the K-CBS is a reliable and valid instrument to measure continuing bonds. Finally, implications, limitations, and directions for future research were discussed.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.443-477
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to explore the continuing bonds experienced by adolescent victims' 15 parents of the Sewol ferry disaster. The research aim is to classify the continuing bonds into representational, functional, emotional, and relationship characteristics through contents analysis and identify them. The way dimension was found to be continuing bond through "physical objects and space," "dream and spiritual exchange," "personal memorial and ritual activities," "thoughts of deceased children," and "surviving children." In the "functional dimension," it was found that sustainable ties help families find new meanings and purposes in their lives and comfort them by making them feel they are with their children. In addition, at the emotional level, they experienced 'positive emotions' while feeling with their children, and experienced 'pain', and some research participants found it difficult to sustain the bond itself. At the level of each relationship characteristic, the relationship between parents and children was an extension of the relationship even after the child was deceased, and the relationship characteristics were reproduced. The implications for grief counseling were presented by applying a dead two-axis model to the results of this study.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.55-65
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• 2022

Caring for patients with cancer is highly stimulating and rewarding, attracting health professionals to the field who enjoy the challenge of managing a complex illness. Health professionals often form close bonds with their patients as they confront ongoing disease or treatment impacts, which may be associated with multiple losses involving function and/or eventual loss of life. Ongoing exposure to patient loss, along with a challenging work setting, may pose significant stress and impact health professionals' well-being. The prevalence rates of burnout and compassion fatigue (CF) are significant, yet health professionals have little knowledge on these topics. A 6-week continuing education program consisting of weekly small-group video-conferencing sessions, case-based learning, and an online community of practice was delivered to health care providers providing oncology care. Program content included personal, organization and team-related risk and protective factors associated with CF, grief models, and strategies to mitigate against CF. Content analysis was completed as part of the program evaluation. In total, 189 participants (93% nurses) completed the program, which was associated with significant improvements in confidence and knowledge of CF and strategies to support self and team resilience. Qualitative themes and vignettes from experiences with the program are presented. Key themes included knowledge gaps, a lack of support related to CF and strategies to support resilience, organization-and team-based factors that can inhibit expression about the impacts of clinical work, the health professional as a "person" in caregiving, and the role of personal variables, self-skill practices, and recommendations for education and support for self and teams.