A Text Network Analysis of Research on the Bereaved After Sudden Death Since 2000

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze research trends in those left behind after sudden bereavement in 2000, using text network analysis. Methods: This study structured and examined keywords in the abstracts of articles extracted from a web-based database. Five major databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, CINAHL, and PsycInfo) were searched for key terms associated with bereavement and grief. After the data extraction, three dictionaries (thesaurus, exclusion, and definition) were created to refine the terms. A co-occurrence matrix was constructed, and text network analysis was performed to identify and visualize the core research topics. Results: In total, 108 studies on those left behind after bereavement were published, with ＜9 papers released annually. The top five words extracted from the studies on individuals left behind after bereavement were family, relationship, child, parent, and support. Cohesion analysis confirmed that the community could be divided into five categories (support by need, diseases and symptoms, changes due to bereavement, causes and processes of bereavement, and damage to the family) based on studies of individuals left behind after bereavement. Conclusion: Research addressing those left behind after sudden death is scarce, and only 108 studies were identified. These five clusters suggest that the research topics related to sudden bereavement represent distinct grief experiences characterized by unique psychological, social, and contextual features.