Associated factors of psychological distress among Japanese pediatricians in supporting the bereaved family who has lost a child.

PURPOSE The psychological distress of pediatricians is a major problem in bereavement care. In this study, the primary factor related to distress is clarified and the future directions of bereavement care provided by pediatricians are examined. METHOD A questionnaire was mailed to Japanese pediatricians belonging to the High-risk Infant Follow-up Association and the Society of Child Neurology. Doctors who actually experienced bereavement care were divided into high and low distress groups. We conducted a comparison of the variables for the two groups using a logistic regression analysis, and the primary factor related to psychological distress was analyzed by the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS The primary factors related to psychological distress were found to be the following 4 items: "gender," "years of experience," "acquisition of coping method," and "feelings of helplessness." In the high distress group, most pediatricians were women, lacked experience, had no coping methods, and felt helplessness. CONCLUSION Countermeasures are required for people feeling strong psychological distress. It is necessary to let pediatricians know that their support is helping the bereaved families and to strive to improve their feelings of helplessness. Education for appropriate coping methods and self-care is required for pediatricians desiring to study bereavement care. Consideration is particularly required for doctors who are female and those who lack experience.