Grief in the context of the pandemic and post-pandemic period in Brazil: a bioethical analysis

uma análise bioética

Abstract

With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers have sought to understand the possible
repercussions of this experience on complications in the grieving process. The aim of this study was
to gather evidence regarding expectations of a higher prevalence of prolonged grief indicators among
bereaved individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, as well as to verify whether specific variables
related to the pandemic context exacerbated levels of grief-related suffering, impacting well-being in the
post-pandemic period. A quantitative, exploratory, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with
426 bereaved individuals during (n=302) and after the pandemic (n=124). The results showed that 26.2%
of bereaved individuals during the pandemic and 21.8% in the post-pandemic period presented indicators
of prolonged grief. Variables related to the pandemic context had a significant effect on higher levels of
grief-related suffering, with impacts on lower well-being in the post-pandemic period. It is expected that
this research will contribute to supporting public policies and mental health interventions.