Prolonged Grief Related to COVID-19 Deaths: Do We Have to Fear a Steep Rise in Traumatic and Disenfranchised Griefs?

The circumstances of coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-related deaths embed multiple traumatic characteristics, alongside several external factors that can disenfranchise individual grief. In this context, severe forms of traumatic distress, guilt, somatization, regret, anger, and unspecific symptoms not yet included in prolonged grief disorder (PGD) criteria could emerge. This article (a) analyzes factors related to bereavement in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic; (b) proposes avenues for meaning-making practices to facilitate individual and collective mourning process; and (c) invites clinicians to pay attention to the traumatic characteristics of COVID-19-related deaths adopting a holistic approach of PGD clinical manifestations, as well as in evaluation and treatment of cases

Editorial: New Perspectives in Bereavement and Loss: Complicated and Disenfranchised Grief Along the Life Cycle

Editorial on the Research Topic New Perspectives in Bereavement and Loss: Complicated and Disenfranchised Grief Along the Life Cycle

How Can Psychologists and Psychiatrists Help COVID-19 Bereaved Persons: Five Propositions to Understanding Contextual Challenges

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing unprecedented cumulative deaths and leaving behind millions of bereaved families and individuals. Moreover, the pandemic is disrupting social fabrics in the conventional way we mourn our deads. In this context therefore, how can psychologists, psychiatrists and other health care professionals help bereaved families and individuals more effectively? This opinion paper proposed five recommendations that cover mental health care needs and challenges which may emerge from the management of these traumatic deaths. In all, efforts to comply with either DSM-5 or ICD-11 PGD guidelines could help COVID-19 bereaved persons with overwhelming distress, as they ensure therapists' use of appropriate terminologies in therapeutic alliances. However, clinicians need to have a global perspective of COVID-19 bereavement courses, political and public health measures due to the pandemic, and flexible attitudes about the ICD-11 and of DSM-5 time-criterion for diagnosis. This paper emphasizes the importance of social and collective recognition of COVID-19 deaths through various symbolic and materialized forms to free up collective and individual capacities for resilience. The necessity of individual and group interventions through online platforms is underscored, however these modes of therapies may not reinforce social inequalities by excluding bereaved individuals who really need them

Unexpected death, religious coping and conjugal bereavement outcomes in Africa (Togo)

International audienceThis pioneering study in sub-Saharan African context examined the role played by religious strategies (religious coping, religious community support (RCS)) in the conjugal bereavement process and its outcomes depending on the expected or unexpected death. Based on cross-sectional approach, the study targeted Togolese bereaved spouses (N=162). The mean period of mourning was 112.52 months (SD=94.72). The results of a hierarchical regression revealed that RCS was positively associated with grief symptoms when the death was expected and, unsurprisingly, the negative religious coping predicted grief symptoms when the death was sudden and unexpected. Religious strategies would play a threefold role: providing refuge and comfort, regulating the bereavement distress and serving resources to give meaning to the loss of the beloved. Theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are discussed

Place du père en contexte migratoire dans la transmission du trauma de la mère au bébé

International audiencePaternal involvement impacts the relationship between mother and child and protects the transmission of the traumatic experience in a migratory context. A study was conducted in France with mother-child dyads in which the women were exposed to traumatic events. It identified three themes around the metatheme of the father’s place: the husband’s function as moral support during migration, his cultural function as a relay for his wife to the child, and the maintenance of the bond despite his physical absence.L’engagement paternel impacte la relation de la mère à l’enfant et protège la transmission de l’expérience traumatique en contexte migratoire z Une étude a été conduite en France auprès de dyades mère-enfant dans lesquelles les femmes ont été exposées à des événements traumatiques z Elle a identifié trois thèmes autour du métathème qu’est la place du père : la fonction de mari comme soutien moral lors de la migration, sa fonction culturelle comme relais de son épouse auprès de l’enfant, et le maintien du lien malgré son absence physique

VALIDATION TRANSCULTURELLE DU RELATIONSHIP SCALES QUESTIONNAIRE EN FRANÇAIS

Le Relationship Scales Questionnaire (RSQ) développé par Griffin et Bartholomew (1994) est un autoquestionnaire de 30 items permettant d’évaluer la nature de l’attachement et de répartir les participants en quatre catégories d’attachement (sécure ou autonome, évitant ou détaché, préoccupé ou ambivalent, craintif ou désorganisé). Son utilisation dans un contexte culturel, sans l’avoir préalablement validé d’une manière rigoureuse, remet en question sa mesure et les modalités d’expression de l’attachement. Ainsi, l’objectif de cette étude est d’examiner la validation transculturelle de la version française du Relationship Scales Questionnaire (RSQ) dans le contexte togolais. Elle a porté sur 130 participants de 18 à 65 ans dont 30 sujets dépendants aux substances psychoactives, 30 de leurs frères et / ou soeurs asymptomatiques et 70 étudiants sans antécédents de problèmes additifs. A partir de l’analyse factorielle et de l’étude de l’homogénéité, les résultats confirment d’excellentes caractéristiques psychométriques du RSQ et valident son utilisation dans le contexte togolais. Cette échelle témoigne d’un intérêt capital pour la mesure de l’attachement au Togo et nécessiterait des études de validation plus élargies.The Relationship Scale Questionnaire (RSQ) developed by Griffin and Bartholomew (1994) is a 30-item self-questionnaire that categorizes participants into four categories of attachment (secure or autonomous, avoiding or detached, preoccupied or ambivalent, fearful or disorganized). Its use in a cultural context without having previously validated it in a rigorous way make it difficult to measure and the expression of the attachment. Thus, the objective of this study is to examine the transcultural validation of the French version of the Relationship Scales Questionnaire (RSQ) in Togolese context. This study aims to examinate the cross-cultural validation of the French version of the Relationship Scales Questionnaire (RSQ) developed by Griffin and Bartholomew (1994). It focussed of 130 participants from 18 to 65, including 30 subjects addicted to drugs, 30 asymptomatic brothers and/or sisters and 70 students. Based on the factor analysis and the study of homogeneity, the results confirm excellent psychometric characteristics of the RSQ and validate its use in the Togolese context. It shows a capital interest for the determination of attachment in Togo and would require thorough and more exhaustive studies of validation

An Examination of the Impact of Psychosocial Factors on Mother-to-Child Trauma Transmission in Post-Migration Contexts Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Objectives: The impact of psychosocial factors and social support in the transmission of trauma related to migration and the mother–child dyad has not yet been amply explored. This article examines this impact and the role that psychosocial factors may have in the transmission of the traumatic experiences of migrant mothers to their children. Patients and method: This study was conducted in France and focused on 14 mother–child dyads in which mothers were exposed to potentially traumatic events in the absence of the child, before or after birth. To analyse the corpus of information collected, the team used a qualitative method based on Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) guidelines. Results: The study’s findings show that a lack of support from the family and lack of support from the host country are two of the major psychosocial factors involved in the exacerbation of maternal challenges. This negative impact on the maternal function leads to mirror reactions between the mother and child marked by the transmission of depressed moods and instinctive behavioural disorders, such as insomnia. Among other findings, factors are identified that help protect mother–child interactions, including religion and faith in God. Conclusion: These findings provide a foundation for further studies into the transmission of trauma from mother to child among migrant women and will help direct further clinical insight into the role of psychosocial factors in traumatic experiences and their transmission

An Examination of the Impact of Psychosocial Factors on Mother-to-Child Trauma Transmission in Post-Migration Contexts Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Objectives: The impact of psychosocial factors and social support in the transmission of trauma related to migration and the mother–child dyad has not yet been amply explored. This article examines this impact and the role that psychosocial factors may have in the transmission of the traumatic experiences of migrant mothers to their children. Patients and method: This study was conducted in France and focused on 14 mother–child dyads in which mothers were exposed to potentially traumatic events in the absence of the child, before or after birth. To analyse the corpus of information collected, the team used a qualitative method based on Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) guidelines. Results: The study’s findings show that a lack of support from the family and lack of support from the host country are two of the major psychosocial factors involved in the exacerbation of maternal challenges. This negative impact on the maternal function leads to mirror reactions between the mother and child marked by the transmission of depressed moods and instinctive behavioural disorders, such as insomnia. Among other findings, factors are identified that help protect mother–child interactions, including religion and faith in God. Conclusion: These findings provide a foundation for further studies into the transmission of trauma from mother to child among migrant women and will help direct further clinical insight into the role of psychosocial factors in traumatic experiences and their transmission

Correlates of grief-related disorders and mental health outcomes among adult refugees exposed to trauma and bereavement: A systematic review and future research directions

Background With conflict driving millions of refugees away from their homes worldwide, there has been an increase in interest in the field of refugee trauma. However, while trauma and bereavement interlink, prior studies have focused on trauma and its related disorders (PTSD) and predictive factors. This paper reviewed up-to-date literature on the prevalence rates of prolonged grief disorder (PGD), its comorbidities, and associated risk factors among adult refugees. Method We systematically reviewed the literature using five databases (PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, Academic Search Elite, and PubMed). The process of study selection was designed according to PRISMA guidelines. Results The initial search generated 126 articles, of which 12 met the inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of PGD was 33.2% (95% CI: 15.2–54.2%). Being an older refugee, traumatic and multiple losses implying the death of first-degree relatives appeared to be consistent risk factors for PGD, combined PTSD/PGD, depression, idioms of distress, and functional impairment. PGD, PTSD, and PTSD/PGD intersect on PTSD-intrusions and painful memories. Limitations All included studies adopted a cross-sectional design, thus limiting the understanding of causal pathways. Conclusions Our findings showed that the high prevalence of PGD and related comorbidities were influenced by the load of traumatic circumstances surrounding the death(s). The findings shed light on the current proposed grief-related diagnostic criteria . Psychopathological and transcultural aspects are discussed, and we provide concrete recommendations for improvements to future research in this field

Does peritraumatic distress predict PTSD, depression and anxiety symptoms during and after COVID-19 lockdown in France? A prospective longitudinal study

International audienceBackground: COVID-19 peritraumatic distress (CPD), an emerging trauma-related psychopathology, involves immediate physiological arousal as well as emotional and cognitive responses to the threat of the COVID-19 outbreak. This study examined the prevalence of and temporal changes in CPD, its early and follow-up predictors and the extent to which it was predictive of mental health problems. Methods: The study took a two-wave design approach and was conducted during and 3?4 months after the nationwide lockdown in France. Baseline participants were 1123 (79.5% women; M age = 33.82; range: 18?80). They completed validated measures assessing CPD, posttraumatic stress (PTS), depression, and anxiety symptoms. Descriptive, correlational, and path model analyses were used. Findings: Both baseline and follow-up groups presented similar psychosocial profiles. Overall, 35.5% (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 32.7?38.4) baseline participants and 17.2% (95% CI: 12.6?22.7) follow-up participants developed clinical cases of CPD. The baseline CPD levels predicted 14?20% of the variances of PTS (b = 0.55), depression (b = 0.16) and anxiety symptoms (b = 0.16). After accounting for the effect of the baseline CPD levels, the current CPD levels predicted the three investigated mental health outcomes in high proportions (43?47%). Further findings revealed important temporal changes in baseline predictors of CPD. However, the chronic CPD and PTS symptoms were prevalent among students and individuals developing worries about the COVID-19 crisis while depression and anxiety symptoms were prevalent among single people and those with pre-existing mental health problems. Limitations: Data from self-report measures of mental health were used. The dropout rate between the two time assessments was relatively high. Conclusions: These longitudinal findings call for clinical efforts in assessment of and intervention in traumarelated distress. These efforts should be put into the predictive role of CPD in subsequent development of PTS symptoms and comorbidities as long as the health, social and economic consequences of the pandemic linger