Prolonged Grief in Times of Lockdown During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of prolonged grief (PG) during the COVID-19 pandemic and to analyze associated variables. 142 family members of patients who died during the lockdown at a hospital were surveyed 6 months after the death. Prolonged grief, depression and anxiety, grief rumination, and loss-related variables were captured. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to detect the associated variables of PG symptoms. Prolonged grief was present in 44.4% of the bereaved. 76.2% of the relatives reported feeling distressed due to visitor restrictions, and the majority of them were unable to bid farewell to their family member at the time of death. Pastoral or psychological care was also lacking. Low education ( p < 0.001), emotional closeness ( p = 0.007), loss of a spouse ( p < 0.001), inability to bid farewell after death ( p = 0.024), feeling of threat due to the pandemic ( p < 0.001), depression ( p = 0.014), and anxiety ( p = 0.028) were significantly associated with prolonged grief.