ReviewInternational journal of nursing sciences2026
Pre-loss grief among family caregivers: An evolutionary concept analysis.
Review in International journal of nursing sciences, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
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Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveThis study aimed to clarify the evolving characteristics of pre-loss grief among family caregivers by identifying its attributes, antecedents, consequences, and related concepts.
methodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted across English databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, APA PsycInfo, and APA PsycArticles) and Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, SinoMed, VIP, and Wanfang). These databases were searched from inception to April 2026. Rodgers's evolutionary concept analysis method was used to analyze the included literature.
resultsA total of 36 articles were included. Four defining attributes of pre-loss grief among family caregivers were identified: multidimensionality of perceived loss; an emotionally and cognitively complex grief response; temporal and dynamic unfolding; and contextual embeddedness within ongoing caregiving roles. Antecedents were identified at four interrelated levels: illness-related, caregiver-related, relational, sociocultural and contextual levels. Consequences included psychological distress, caregiving strain, relational difficulties, and bereavement-related vulnerability; whereas meaning-making and strengthened relational connections were identified in specific caregiving contexts. The analysis clarified conceptual distinctions between pre-loss grief and related constructs such as anticipatory grief. Pre-loss grief among family caregivers can be understood as a grief-specific, multidimensional, and dynamic response to perceived losses before the care recipient's death. This response is embedded within ongoing caregiving relationships and responsibilities.
conclusionsThis concept analysis provides a clearer conceptual foundation for grief-specific assessment for caregivers, development of measurement tools, and delivery of context-sensitive nursing support across the illness trajectory.
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