Lack figure of attachment: Prolonged grief associated with covid-19 deaths

Corona deaths, by causing widespread disturbances, shook the foundations of many families. When the lost person is one of the spouses, this situation becomes more critical. However, in the literature, there is limited research on the lived experience and long-term grief of bereaved spouses due to the death of Corona. Few kinds of research have been done considering the reasons for the prolonged bereavement of spouses, and it is necessary to carry out representative research in this field.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the prolonged grief of spouses because of deaths caused by COVID-19.

The approach used in this research was qualitative and contextual. 17 individuals who experienced the death of their spouse due to Corona disease (Covid-19) in 2020 were selected by theoretical sampling method. Then, the researchers used a semi-structured interview to collect data. The data were analyzed using the Strauss and Corbin method.

After analyzing the data, four major categories (factors related to the transition through death, factors associated with grief and mourning, supporting factors, and factors related to the relationship status with the deceased spouse) and 12 primary categories (negative emotion regulation strategies, uncertainty about the future, feeling of guilt, the inability to overcome anger, perception of the uniqueness of the grief experience, lack of acceptance of the loss, negative facts associated with the loss, issues in holding ceremonies, feeling of abandonment, rapid change of roles in the family, lack of attachment, and touch deprivation) were found. Then, they were categorized in the loss-oriented coping method dimension.

The results revealed that the main reason for the complication of grief is the loss-oriented coping method, which avoids situations of grief and complicates the whole process. Support services provided can be a great help to people who are experiencing it.