Prolonged grief in relatives of deceased patients due to COVID-19 is associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms: A survey-based study in Peru

Abstract

Objective: Funeral practices have undergone significant changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, the death of a family member from this disease has altered the typical course of the bereavement process. Therefore, this study seeks to determine the relationship between the levels of grief, anxiety, and depression in relatives of patients who died from COVID-19 in Peru. Methods: A total of 250 volunteers were obtained, but after applying the inclusion criteria and not being able to contact five of them, the sample consisted of 115 participants over 18 years of age who lost a family member to COVID-19 between 2020 and 2021. They developed the Prolonged Grief Questionnaire-13 and the Zung Anxiety and Depression Questionnaires, in virtual surveys using Google FormTM (Google, CA). Results: Our analysis revealed that all cases of anxiety (18.3%) were present in individuals experiencing prolonged grief (76.5%), while 49.5% (57/115) of participants exhibited symptoms of depression. Furthermore, we identified a significant association between prolonged grief and both anxiety ( p = 0.005) and depression ( p < 0.001). Prolonged grief predominantly affected females (45.2%) and individuals aged 31–40 years (28.7%) ( p < 0.001). Regarding predictors of anxiety symptoms, we found that both age group ( p = 0.035) and grief ( p < 0.001) played significant roles. Gender ( p = 0.019) and grief ( p < 0.001) emerged as predictors of depression, while gender alone predicted grief in relatives of individuals who succumbed to COVID-19 ( p = 0.019). Conclusion: Our results suggest a clear association between prolonged grief and mental health issues among relatives of COVID-19 patients who have passed away. Consequently, it is imperative to provide comprehensive psychological and spiritual support throughout the grieving process, aiming to mitigate the negative impact of traumatic events.