Abstract
Context
Pioneering empirical studies show that people bereaved due to COVID-19 experience
elevated acute grief, posttraumatic stress, anxiety, and depressive symptom levels,
which relate to functional impairment. However, studies focused on Western samples
and multivariate analyses of relations between potential risk factors and mental health
in this population are lacking.
Objectives
To assess the mental health of Chinese adults bereaved due to COVID-19. To elucidate
the associations of demographic and loss-related characteristics with mental health
after COVID-19 bereavement.
Methods
Four hundred twenty-two Chinese adults (56% male; Mean age: 32.73 years) recently
bereaved due to COVID-19 completed an online survey. Demographic and loss-related
characteristics and prolonged grief, posttraumatic stress, anxiety, and depressive
symptoms were assessed.
Results
Clinically relevant prolonged grief (49%, n = 207), posttraumatic stress (22%, n = 92), depressive (70%; n = 294), and anxiety symptoms (65%; n = 272) were reported by a substantial group of participants. In four multiple regressions
predicting each mental health indicator, Fs(15,406) = 5.08–7.74, Ps < 0.001, loss-characteristics (i.e., a shorter time since loss, βs = -.12–.11,
loss of a first-degree relative, βs = .18-.37) and subjective loss experiences (i.e.,
feeling traumatized by the loss, βs = .13-.18, or a close and/or conflictual relation
with the deceased, βs = .12-.23) related most consistently to mental health problems.
Conclusion
Many Chinese adults bereaved due to COVID-19 experience severe mental health problems.
The recent loss of first-degree relatives, feeling traumatized by the loss, and having
a close and/or conflictual relationship with the deceased may elevate risk for these
mental health problems, which could require indicated psychological treatment.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 01, 2021
Accepted:
February 11,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2021 American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
