A Systematic Review of Factors associated with Complicated Grief

This research was conducted with the aim of providing a comprehensive summary of empirical evidence related to complicated bereavement.

This was a qualitative research using systematic review of sources. In this regard, initially, the research literature related to bereavement during the years 2000 to 2021 were examined. The number of 547 articles were identified as related. Finally, according to the entry or inclusion criteria, 42 studies were selected and examined in the final stage. Data were reviewed by two reviewers working independently, and examined using the tool proposed by PRISMA (2009). The reviewers compared the data and discussed disagreements to reach consensus. Consensus data were used in the final analysis.

Finally, data was placed in two groups: Therapeutic factors (encouraging self-regulation, sharing pain with others or restorative retelling, facing or reviewing avoidant situations, reviewing positive memories of the deceased person and inviting negative memories) and risky factors (weakness in mourning rituals, little social support, negative meaning of loss) were placed.

Social support is especially important in the treatment of people suffering from complicated grief.