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Who suffered most after deaths due to COVID-19? Prevalence and correlates of prolonged grief disorder in COVID-19 related bereaved adults.
Tang, Suqin; Xiang, Zhendong.
  • Tang S; Department of Sociology, Law School, Shenzhen University, L3-1217, Zhili Building, Canghai Campus, Shenzhen, 618010, China. jasminetsq@hotmail.com.
  • Xiang Z; Shenzhen Yishi Huolala Technology Limited Company, Futian District, Shenzhen, 518049, China.
Global Health ; 17(1): 19, 2021 02 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1084199
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Deaths by COVID-19 have left behind nearly 12 million recent bereaved individuals worldwide and researchers have raised concerns that the circumstances of COVID-19 related deaths will lead to a rise prevalence of prolonged grief disorder (PGD) cases. However, to date, no studies have examined the prevalence of PGD among people bereaved due to COVID-19. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of PGD and investigated demographic and loss-related factors associated with prolonged grief symptoms among Chinese individuals bereaved due to COVID-19.

METHODS:

This was a cross-sectional online survey conducted between September 1 and October 3, 2020. A total of 422 Chinese participants (55.5% males; 32.73 [9.31] years old) who lost a close person due to COVID-19 participated in the study. Demographic and loss-related information was collected, and self-reported prolonged grief symptoms were measured by a 13-item International Prolonged Grief Disorder Scale (IPGDS 1-65) and a 17-item Traumatic Grief Inventory Self Report (TGI-SR 1-85). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the associated factors of levels of grief symptoms.

RESULTS:

Prevalence of PGD was 37.8% screened by IPGDS and 29.3% by TGI-SR. No difference was found in levels of grief symptoms between participants whose close one died more than 6 months ago and those who experienced the loss less than 6 months ago. More severe prolonged grief symptoms assessed by IPGDS was associated with losing a close person by COVID-19 rather than complications (B 5.35; 95% CI 0.54-10.05), losing a partner (B 7.80; 95% CI 3.24-12.37), child (B 8.15; 95% CI 1.03-15.26), and parent (B 5.49; 95% CI 1.49-9.48) rather than losing a relative or a person with other relationship, feeling more traumatic about the loss (B 1.71; 95% CI 0.52-2.90), being closer with the deceased (B 1.60; 95% CI 0.34-2.86). Moreover, Losing a grandparent (B 6.62; 95% CI 0.53-12.71) and having more conflicts with the deceased (B 1.05; 95% CI - 0.008-2.11) were related to higher levels of grief symptoms assessed by TGI-SR.

CONCLUSIONS:

Echoing researchers' concerns, the prevalence of PGD is high among people bereaved due to COVID-19. Individuals with a higher risk of developing PGD should be identified and bereavement support should be offered as early as possible.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Grief / Adjustment Disorders / COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adult / Female / Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: Asia Language: English Journal: Global Health Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12992-021-00669-5

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Grief / Adjustment Disorders / COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adult / Female / Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: Asia Language: English Journal: Global Health Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12992-021-00669-5