Study Results
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Basic Information
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ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION
NA
15 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2024-08-27
2026-04-30
Brief Summary
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Detailed Description
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Studies over the last few decades suggest that many grieving individuals experience persistent difficulties associated with bereavement that exceeds the expected social, cultural, or religious expectations. With the publication of the DSM-5-TR (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision), the term Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) has been coined for those experiencing grief after the loss of a loved one, lasting longer than 12 months for adults or 6 months for children, and causes significant impairment. An estimated 7%-10% of bereaved adults will experience the persistent symptoms of prolonged grief disorder. Among children and adolescents who have lost a loved one, approximately 5%-10% will experience depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and/or prolonged grief disorder following the bereavement. Although only a minority of grievers suffer from some psychological problems, misdiagnoses have been common because there was no specific diagnosis for grief in the past.
One of the most important risk factors for severe PGD is unfinished business, which indicates incomplete, unexpressed, or unresolved relational issues with the deceased. It was found that 43% of bereaved individuals exhibit some degree of unfinished business. Higher levels of unfinished business are associated with higher levels of psychological problems and unhealthy ways of expressing grief. In the context of the Traditional Islamically Integrated Psychotherapy (TIIP) framework, unfinished business is conceptualized as an emotionally-charged problem. Through the emotional processing of unfinished business during TIIP psychotherapy sessions, suffering patients are able to find a resolution to their emotional problems, which leads to the replacement of maladaptive emotions with more adaptive ones, need fulfillment, and the creation of new meanings for unresolved conflicts. Indeed, making sense of one's loss is associated with a healthier grieving process. Therefore, meaning-oriented techniques are more effective in grief therapy. Furthermore, the results of a systematic literature review show that the expression of grief is directly influenced by spirituality, religious beliefs, and practices. Yet, there is no intervention program specifically designed for grieving Muslims that is faith-based. From an Islamic perspective, death is seen as a natural part of the human lifecycle, including the soul's transfer from this world to the after-world.
In order to better explain the mourning process, a number of theories have been put forth in Western literature. Nevertheless, they largely ignore socio-cultural variations outside of the bereavement of white people in Europe or North America. Although it is known that religion and belief have a very important role in the mourning experience, there are no intervention programs specifically tailored for grieving Muslims that utilize a faith-based approach reported in the literature. This study aims to develop and explore the utility of an Islamically integrated chair-work intervention to help resolve unfinished business for Muslims who have experienced prolonged grief. A randomized, non-concurrent, multiple baseline design is planned for the proposed study to use Islamically integrated chair-work intervention using five phases: (1) baseline phase, (2) empathic attunement phase, (3) TIIP -Traditional Islamically Integrated Psychotherapy- chair-work intervention phase, (4) cognitive consolidation \& spiritually behavioral activation phase, and (5) follow-up phase (1 month post). The protocol will be implemented on a weekly basis through 50-minute, face-to-face individual psychotherapy sessions, totaling seven sessions.
In this study, the multiple-baseline design comprises five phases, with the initial phase designated as the baseline. Notably, the duration of this baseline phase will be randomly varied among participants. This random allocation to baseline periods of different lengths facilitates the evaluation of whether symptom changes are specifically associated with the application of the intervention. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three baseline lengths-2, 4, or 6 weeks-allowing for varied observation periods before the intervention commences. During the baseline phase, participants will complete the primary outcome measurement. This study will demonstrate the utilization of the Islamically integrated chair-work in assisting bereaved Muslims facing numerous psychological, physiological, social, and economic risks to resolve the unfinished business on account of their prolonged grief. The Islamic integration of the chair-work intervention incorporates insights from early Islamic thinkers with psychological counseling and cultural and religious elements.
Early Islamic scholars such as Al-Kindi, Abu Bekir al-Razi, and Ibn Sina had conceptualized grief and sorrow and provided strategies to cope with the emotional struggles following the loss of a loved one. The investigators have integrated certain therapeutic methods from early Islamic scholars to address the challenges of grief after a loss. Al-Kindi begins by defining sorrow and offering guidance for those suffering from grief. His definition emphasizes sorrow arising from losing a loved object, conceptualized as "loss," and also from unfulfilled desires, conceptualized as "missing out." Al-Kindi's concept of "loss" resonates with the empathic attunement process in the Islamically integrated psychotherapy protocol. The 'missing out' forms the basic framework of unfinished business after loss. The investigators integrated the concept of "grief meditation" chair-work intervention to resolve unfinished business tension from al-Razi's advice to imagine the scenarios of loss. Finally, a phase of cognitive consolidation and spiritually behavioral activation draws influence from Ibn Sina's teachings. He posited that due to the obscurity of death, individuals struggle to establish a healthy relationship with the concept of death. For the final part of the protocol, patients search for meaning from the loss with the therapist, then transform cognitive and emotional schemas and devise behavioral plans based on newly acquired perspectives and emotions. The importance of the study stems from an Islamically integrated interventional method of providing closure to individuals experiencing prolonged grief that is otherwise not available in the literature.
Conditions
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
SINGLE_GROUP
TREATMENT
SINGLE
Study Groups
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2-weeks baseline
Participants will wait for a two-week period before starting psychotherapy sessions, during which time they will complete questionnaires. Following this period, they will engage in a 7-week psychotherapy process.
Psychotherapy-Empathic Attunement Phase
The initial focus of our therapeutic intervention is on establishing empathic attunement to aid individuals in processing the inherent pain of grief in a constructive manner. For this phase, therapists will focus solely on adhering to the relationship formation and introspective exploration. Practitioners aimed at empathetically tuning into the patient's emotional experience, validating and reassuring the patient's emotional state, and adhering to the fundamental principles of empathy, sincerity, and positive regard for establishing and upholding a strong therapeutic alliance. Also, accompanying the patients to uncover and process the natural pain to gain self-awareness about their emotions.
Psychotherapy - Chair-work intervention phase
During this phase, bereavement person will conduct imaginal conversation with a deceased. Practitioners utilized the resolution model including 5 components: (1) emotional reaction of the bereavement (blame, hurt, regret etc.) and enactment of the deceased; (2) differentiation of the bereavement's feelings and deceased's specific negative aspects accessed; (3) intense expression of the bereavement's specific emotions; (4) expression of the bereavement's previously unmet interpersonal needs from the deceased and the deceased validates bereavement's feelings; (5) understanding and forgiveness of the deceased or shift in view of the deceased.
Psychotherapy - Cognitive consolidation and spiritually behavioral activation phase
Cognitive consolidation and spiritually behavioral activation complement the emotional interventions implemented in earlier stages. This cognitive process aids in the transformation and integration of adaptive growth, enabling patients to assimilate the knowledge and insights acquired during therapy. Therapists take a directive and co-constructivist approach, guiding patients to discover emotionally adaptive reconciliations and meanings that challenge and reshape their emotional and cognitive frameworks in the cognitive consolidation and spiritually behavioral activation phase. Aligned with this cognitive shift, spiritual behavioral activations involve creating plans to address unmet needs.
4-weeks baseline
Participants will wait for a four-weeks period before starting psychotherapy sessions, during which time they will complete questionnaires. Following this period, they will engage in a 7-week psychotherapy process.
Psychotherapy-Empathic Attunement Phase
The initial focus of our therapeutic intervention is on establishing empathic attunement to aid individuals in processing the inherent pain of grief in a constructive manner. For this phase, therapists will focus solely on adhering to the relationship formation and introspective exploration. Practitioners aimed at empathetically tuning into the patient's emotional experience, validating and reassuring the patient's emotional state, and adhering to the fundamental principles of empathy, sincerity, and positive regard for establishing and upholding a strong therapeutic alliance. Also, accompanying the patients to uncover and process the natural pain to gain self-awareness about their emotions.
Psychotherapy - Chair-work intervention phase
During this phase, bereavement person will conduct imaginal conversation with a deceased. Practitioners utilized the resolution model including 5 components: (1) emotional reaction of the bereavement (blame, hurt, regret etc.) and enactment of the deceased; (2) differentiation of the bereavement's feelings and deceased's specific negative aspects accessed; (3) intense expression of the bereavement's specific emotions; (4) expression of the bereavement's previously unmet interpersonal needs from the deceased and the deceased validates bereavement's feelings; (5) understanding and forgiveness of the deceased or shift in view of the deceased.
Psychotherapy - Cognitive consolidation and spiritually behavioral activation phase
Cognitive consolidation and spiritually behavioral activation complement the emotional interventions implemented in earlier stages. This cognitive process aids in the transformation and integration of adaptive growth, enabling patients to assimilate the knowledge and insights acquired during therapy. Therapists take a directive and co-constructivist approach, guiding patients to discover emotionally adaptive reconciliations and meanings that challenge and reshape their emotional and cognitive frameworks in the cognitive consolidation and spiritually behavioral activation phase. Aligned with this cognitive shift, spiritual behavioral activations involve creating plans to address unmet needs.
6-weeks baseline
Participants will wait for a six-week period before starting psychotherapy sessions, during which time they will complete questionnaires. Following this period, they will engage in a 7-week psychotherapy process.
Psychotherapy-Empathic Attunement Phase
The initial focus of our therapeutic intervention is on establishing empathic attunement to aid individuals in processing the inherent pain of grief in a constructive manner. For this phase, therapists will focus solely on adhering to the relationship formation and introspective exploration. Practitioners aimed at empathetically tuning into the patient's emotional experience, validating and reassuring the patient's emotional state, and adhering to the fundamental principles of empathy, sincerity, and positive regard for establishing and upholding a strong therapeutic alliance. Also, accompanying the patients to uncover and process the natural pain to gain self-awareness about their emotions.
Psychotherapy - Chair-work intervention phase
During this phase, bereavement person will conduct imaginal conversation with a deceased. Practitioners utilized the resolution model including 5 components: (1) emotional reaction of the bereavement (blame, hurt, regret etc.) and enactment of the deceased; (2) differentiation of the bereavement's feelings and deceased's specific negative aspects accessed; (3) intense expression of the bereavement's specific emotions; (4) expression of the bereavement's previously unmet interpersonal needs from the deceased and the deceased validates bereavement's feelings; (5) understanding and forgiveness of the deceased or shift in view of the deceased.
Psychotherapy - Cognitive consolidation and spiritually behavioral activation phase
Cognitive consolidation and spiritually behavioral activation complement the emotional interventions implemented in earlier stages. This cognitive process aids in the transformation and integration of adaptive growth, enabling patients to assimilate the knowledge and insights acquired during therapy. Therapists take a directive and co-constructivist approach, guiding patients to discover emotionally adaptive reconciliations and meanings that challenge and reshape their emotional and cognitive frameworks in the cognitive consolidation and spiritually behavioral activation phase. Aligned with this cognitive shift, spiritual behavioral activations involve creating plans to address unmet needs.
Interventions
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Psychotherapy-Empathic Attunement Phase
The initial focus of our therapeutic intervention is on establishing empathic attunement to aid individuals in processing the inherent pain of grief in a constructive manner. For this phase, therapists will focus solely on adhering to the relationship formation and introspective exploration. Practitioners aimed at empathetically tuning into the patient's emotional experience, validating and reassuring the patient's emotional state, and adhering to the fundamental principles of empathy, sincerity, and positive regard for establishing and upholding a strong therapeutic alliance. Also, accompanying the patients to uncover and process the natural pain to gain self-awareness about their emotions.
Psychotherapy - Chair-work intervention phase
During this phase, bereavement person will conduct imaginal conversation with a deceased. Practitioners utilized the resolution model including 5 components: (1) emotional reaction of the bereavement (blame, hurt, regret etc.) and enactment of the deceased; (2) differentiation of the bereavement's feelings and deceased's specific negative aspects accessed; (3) intense expression of the bereavement's specific emotions; (4) expression of the bereavement's previously unmet interpersonal needs from the deceased and the deceased validates bereavement's feelings; (5) understanding and forgiveness of the deceased or shift in view of the deceased.
Psychotherapy - Cognitive consolidation and spiritually behavioral activation phase
Cognitive consolidation and spiritually behavioral activation complement the emotional interventions implemented in earlier stages. This cognitive process aids in the transformation and integration of adaptive growth, enabling patients to assimilate the knowledge and insights acquired during therapy. Therapists take a directive and co-constructivist approach, guiding patients to discover emotionally adaptive reconciliations and meanings that challenge and reshape their emotional and cognitive frameworks in the cognitive consolidation and spiritually behavioral activation phase. Aligned with this cognitive shift, spiritual behavioral activations involve creating plans to address unmet needs.
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* Grieving for unresolved tension for a loved one (24 or more points on the Unfinished Business in Bereavement Scale),
* Religiously adherent adults (according to self report)
Exclusion Criteria
* Current substance or alcohol dependence,
* Past or current psychotic disorders or bipolar disorder;
* Currently receiving any form of psychotherapy
18 Years
ALL
Yes
Sponsors
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Ibn Haldun University
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Principal Investigators
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Hooman Keshavarzi, Psy.D.
Role: STUDY_CHAIR
Ibn Haldun University
Locations
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Ibn Haldun University
Istanbul, Başakşehir, Turkey (Türkiye)
Countries
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References
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Szuhany KL, Young A, Mauro C, Garcia de la Garza A, Spandorfer J, Lubin R, Skritskaya NA, Hoeppner SS, Li M, Pace-Schott E, Zisook S, Reynolds CF, Shear MK, Simon NM. Impact of sleep on complicated grief severity and outcomes. Depress Anxiety. 2020 Jan;37(1):73-80. doi: 10.1002/da.22929.
American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th Ed., Text Rev.).; 2022.
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Boelen PA, van den Hout MA, van den Bout J. A cognitive-behavioral conceptualization of complicated grief. Clin Psychol Sci Pract. 2006;13(2):109-128. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2850.2006.00013.x
Cesur-Soysal G, Durak-Batigun A. Prolonged grief, emotion regulation and loss-related factors: An investigation based on cognitive and behavioral conceptualization. Death Stud. 2022;46(6):1316-1328. doi: 10.1080/07481187.2020.1846639. Epub 2020 Nov 12.
Holland JM, Thompson KL, Rozalski V, Lichtenthal WG. Bereavement-related regret trajectories among widowed older adults. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2014 Jan;69(1):40-7. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbt050. Epub 2013 Jun 13.
Klingspon KL, Holland JM, Neimeyer RA, Lichtenthal WG. Unfinished Business in Bereavement. Death Stud. 2015;39(7):387-98. doi: 10.1080/07481187.2015.1029143.
Keshavarzi H, Keshavarzi S. Emotionally Oriented Psychotherapy. In: Keshavarzi H, Khan F, Ali B, Awaad R, eds. Applying Islamic Principles to Clinical Mental Health Care. Routledge; 2020:171-208. doi:10.4324/9781003043331-12
Holland JM, Neimeyer RA. An examination of stage theory of grief among individuals bereaved by natural and violent causes: a meaning-oriented contribution. Omega (Westport). 2010;61(2):103-20. doi: 10.2190/OM.61.2.b.
De Stefano R, Muscatello MRA, Bruno A, Cedro C, Mento C, Zoccali RA, Pandolfo G. Complicated grief: A systematic review of the last 20 years. Int J Soc Psychiatry. 2021 Aug;67(5):492-499. doi: 10.1177/0020764020960202. Epub 2020 Sep 24.
Beckett C, Dykeman C. A Metatheory of Grief: implications for Counselors. Ideas Res You Can Use. 2017;(30):1-15.
Jayyusi-lehn G. The Epistle of Ya'qub ibn Ishaq al-Kindi on the Device for Dispelling Sarrow. 2002;29:121-135. doi:10.1080/135301902200001263
Melhem NM, Porta G, Walker Payne M, Brent DA. Identifying prolonged grief reactions in children: dimensional and diagnostic approaches. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2013 Jun;52(6):599-607.e7. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2013.02.015. Epub 2013 Apr 24.
Ibn Sina, Alî b. Sînâ, Tura, H. Ölüm korkusundan kurtuluş risalesi; Namaz risalesi. orhan Mete ve Ortağı Kollektif Şirketi Matbaası. 1959
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Prigerson HG, Horowitz MJ, Jacobs SC, Parkes CM, Aslan M, Goodkin K, Raphael B, Marwit SJ, Wortman C, Neimeyer RA, Bonanno GA, Block SD, Kissane D, Boelen P, Maercker A, Litz BT, Johnson JG, First MB, Maciejewski PK. Prolonged grief disorder: Psychometric validation of criteria proposed for DSM-V and ICD-11. PLoS Med. 2009 Aug;6(8):e1000121. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1000121. Epub 2009 Aug 4.
Holland JM, Klingspon KL, Lichtenthal WG, Neimeyer RA. The Unfinished Business in Bereavement Scale (UBBS): Development and psychometric evaluation. Death Stud. 2020;44(2):65-77. doi: 10.1080/07481187.2018.1521101. Epub 2018 Dec 4.
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Papa A, Lancaster NG, Kahler J. Commonalities in grief responding across bereavement and non-bereavement losses. J Affect Disord. 2014 Jun;161:136-43. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2014.03.018. Epub 2014 Mar 25.
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Chen Z, Ying J, Ingles J, Zhang D, Rajbhandari-Thapa J, Wang R, Emerson KG, Feng Z. Gender differential impact of bereavement on health outcomes: evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, 2011-2015. BMC Psychiatry. 2020 Oct 22;20(1):514. doi: 10.1186/s12888-020-02916-2.
Other Identifiers
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E-71395021-050.06.04-35013
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id
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