Predictors of prolonged grief in individuals experiencing bereavement due to COVID-19

COVID-19 pandemic is known to affect people physically and psychologically in our country and around the world, and many deaths have occurred due to the pandemic. In this study, the effects of prolonged grief symptoms of those who experienced loss due to COVID and other reasons and the inability to perform rituals, lack of perceived social support and being the person who transmitted COVID-19 on the symptoms of Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) were examined in Turkey sample. While being the person who transmitted COVID-19 and not being able to perform rituals were measured with the statements in the demographic information form, other variables were evaluated with the "Revised Version of Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale" and "Prolonged Grief Scale". The level of prolonged grief disorder in those whose cause of death was COVID-19 was found to be higher than those who experienced loss due to other reasons. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that cohabitation status and duration were associated with prolonged grief. However, when these variables were controlled, perceived social support and being the person who transmitted COVID-19 were found to predict PGD symptoms. In the last model where the intensity of performing rituals was included, the model as a whole predicted PGD, but the intensity of performing rituals alone did not predict PGD. The data obtained were discussed in the framework of the related literature.