This study was designed to examine chronic sorrow in spouse caregivers of individuals with multiple sclerosis. Chronic sorrow was defined as a pervasive sadness that is permanent, periodic, and progressive in nature. The sample comprised 10 participants: 5 males and 5 females. Data were collected through audiotaped, face-to-face interviews using the Burke/NCRCS Chronic Sorrow Questionnaire (Caregiver Version). The audiotapes were transcribed, and then analyzed by the researcher. Eighty percent of the caregivers were found to experience chronic sorrow. Milestones or events which caused the sorrow to recur were major themes. The participants also identified what was helpful and not helpful in coping with these feelings, gave practical advice for similar individuals, and offered suggestions for nurses and other caregivers.
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Margaret A. Hainsworth (1995) studied this question.
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