Author(s): Batista, João ; Albuquerque, Sara ; Delalibera, Mayra ; Oliveira, João T. ; Coelho, Alexandra
Date: 2024
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.12/10011
Origin: Repositório do ISPA - Instituto Universitário
Subject(s): Pandemic; Grief; Trauma; Anxiety; Depression; Meaning-making
The COVID-19 pandemic imposed substantial restrictions on funeral ceremonies,profoundly affecting grief experiences. This study investigated the mediating role ofmeaning-making in the relationship between these restrictions and prolonged griefdisorder (PGD) symptoms, anxiety, depression, and trauma. A longitudinal studyinvolving 141 bereaved individuals was conducted, with assessments at two time points:3–6 months (T1) and 9–12 months (T2) post-loss. Structural equation modeling re-vealed that the psychological impact of restrictions on death and funeral ceremonieshad indirect effects on anxiety and prolonged grief symptoms through meaning-making,particularly the footing in the world subscale. These findings underscore the im-portance of understanding the complex interplay between pandemic-related re-strictions and grief experiences, emphasizing the pivotal role of meaning-making inadapting to loss during those challenging times.
