The grief experience during the COVID-19 pandemic across different cultures

Abstract

Grief is the physical or mental suffering experienced after a major loss, usually the death of a loved one. It is a universal experience, but sociocultural factors, such as cultural or ethnic identity and religious beliefs predict and shape the expression of grief. The circumstances under which people are experiencing grief during the coronavirus outbreak have adversely affected the grieving process. Unexpected deaths, social distancing rules and visitor restrictions in healthcare facilities have posed a heavier burden on the loss and have heightened the risk of grievers experiencing complicated or persistent grief. This concern led us, as early career psychiatrists (ECPs) from 14 different countries connected by the Early Career Psychiatrists Section of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA), to share our country-specific experiences on the mourning, grief tradition, and burial rites during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this paper, we discuss our experiences, similarities and differences with relation to the: ‘Effect of the pandemic on mourning’, ‘Restrictions and Guideline on burial rites due to the pandemic’, ‘Effect of the pandemic on social support’ and ‘Role of media and telecommunication on mourning practices and burial rites’. We conclude that while telecommunication means have attempted to bridge the gap and provide some form of social connectedness, the total and global effect of the pandemic is yet to be fully seen and understood.

Grief experience among ICU staff with loss of family members during COVID-19 outbreak in IRAN: A qualitative study

“…In Iran there is also several subcultures but generally continuous presence of people around survivors in early days of grief, is among important factors of effective social support. Consistent with the previous literature, the themes of this study showed that this effective social support has been reduced (8).…”

“…Much research has shown that exposure to this pandemic has raised the risk of complicated grief caused by the fact that this infectious disease has been unknown and unpredictable, a lack of specific and efficient treatment to control and eradicate it, the continuity of the quarantine, the lack of the possibility to hold mourning rituals or funerals, the lack of the opportunity to be present in the ceremonies, strict laws of transportation, the mortality and morbidity of the virus, ICU staff 's work environment that sometimes caused the risk of spreading the virus and even multiple fatalities in a family cluster in a short period (6)(7)(8).…”

Editorial: Community series in mental illness, culture, and society: Dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic - Volume III

“…Three years after the global coronavirus pandemic outbreak, its severe and manifold consequences have been largely demonstrated not only in terms of global economy, culture, society, and general health, but also mental health (1)(2)(3). Many aspects of daily life have been affected by the lockdown and social distancing measures, further filtered by individual factors, as well as specific sociocultural dynamics, including norms, values, and religions (4)(5)(6)(7)(8).…”

Editorial: Community series in mental illness, culture, and society: Dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic - Volume IV

“…The lockdown and social distancing measures have intensified these issues, particularly for vulnerable individuals, also influencing the delivery of mental health interventions (4). Moreover, the impact of the pandemic has varied across different sociocultural groups, influenced by norms, values, and religions (5)(6)(7). This highlights the need to consider not only medical and scientific aspects but also the broader societal and cultural dynamics in addressing public health crises.…”