Grief Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Multiple Group Comparisons
Maarten C Eisma1, Aerjen Tamminga2
1Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
|October 16, 2020
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic did not increase overall grief severity for bereaved individuals. However, recent losses during the pandemic led to more intense acute grief reactions compared to pre-pandemic times.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic raised concerns about increased severe grief, potentially leading to prolonged grief disorder.
- Previous research indicated higher grief after COVID-19 related deaths.
- The impact of pandemic circumstances on non-COVID-19 bereavement remained unquantified.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if grief severity increased during the pandemic lockdown for non-COVID-19 related bereavement.
- To compare grief levels in bereaved individuals before and during the pandemic.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey of 1600 bereaved adults was conducted.
- Participants were grouped based on whether they participated before or during the pandemic.
- Grief severity was measured, with a focus on recent losses (within five months).
Main Results:
- No significant difference in overall grief levels was found between participants before and during the pandemic.
- Individuals experiencing recent bereavement during the pandemic reported more severe grief (d=0.17; d=0.18).
- These findings held after controlling for relevant loss-related variables.
Conclusions:
- Overall grief severity did not differ significantly between the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods.
- Experiencing a recent loss during the pandemic resulted in more severe acute grief.
- The findings suggest that coping with loss may be more challenging during the ongoing health crisis.
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