A systematic review of loneliness in bereavement: Current research and future directions

Vedder, Anneke; Boerner, Kathrin; Stokes, Jeffrey E.; Schüt, H.; Boelen, Paul A.; Stroebe, Margaret

doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.06.003

Cited by 41 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 94 publications

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“…An overview of the measures used in the reviewed studies is included in the supplementary table 1 of Vedder et al (2021). Tables 1-4 below summarize this information according to the type of measure employed to examine loneliness in the bereavement studies.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Information for the present review was drawn from published, empirical studies designed to examine loneliness among bereaved people that we considered in our systematic review on the prevalence, correlates, and intervention efficacy of loneliness in bereavement (Vedder et al, 2021). Measurement issues, such as widespread use of single-item measures and heterogeneity in validated scales, arose from the results of that review but were beyond its scope, suggesting the need for finer-grained examination of the assessment of loneliness.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As described in detail in Vedder et al (2021), studies conducted before March 12th, 2020 were included. The studies were selected according to the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement (PRISMA; Moher et al, 2009).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…With respect to bereavement, research has confirmed that loneliness is frequently one of the major challenges experienced following loss (Vedder et al, 2021). Particular research attention has been paid to its impact on older persons who have lost their partner (Lund, 1989;Utz et al, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A recent review of empirical studies of loneliness in bereavement testifies to the greater frequency and/or intensity of loneliness among bereaved compared with non-bereaved groups (Vedder et al, 2021). Yet, loneliness does not appear consistently in lists of core symptoms in diagnostic manuals of mental disorders.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Loneliness in Bereavement: Measurement Matters

et al. 2021

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The role of loneliness in the bereavement experience has been reported as substantial, with the death of a close person leaving a considerable void in the life of the bereaved. Yet, there is lack of agreement about its precise role and, notably, whether loneliness should be included as a core symptom for diagnosis of grief complications. The ongoing threat of heightened social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic underlines the need to understand the impact of loneliness, and to accurately chart its prevalence, intensity, duration, and associated difficulties in the context of bereavement. Assessment issues are central to this endeavor. In this article, we review the scientific literature to examine how loneliness after bereavement has been operationalized and measured. Sixty-three articles analyzing 51 independent datasets were reviewed. Results show major disparities: approximately half of the projects assessed loneliness by means of one of two validated scales (spanning different versions); the remainder included only single- or few-item measures. Diverse instructions, content and answer categories were used. While one size does not fit all, awareness of assessment options and dis/advantages may aid selection of the most appropriate measure, to suit the goals of a particular study and the specific groups under investigation. Our conclusion is that, in selecting a loneliness measure, health care professionals should come to their own well-informed decision, aided by the information provided in our review.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Loneliness in Bereavement: Measurement Matters

et al. 2021

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I will keep your memory! Reasons for remembering lost loved ones

Pociunaite,

Wolf

2023

Applied Cognitive Psychology

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Remembering the lost loved one is an integral part of bereavement process. While we know from prior research that memories in general are used for specific reasons (e.g., for identity processes or within social relationships), it is unclear for what reasons people remember their lost loved ones. Based on previous literature, we assumed that memory emotionality and bereavement reaction are associated with why people reminisce about their lost loved ones. In total, 100 adults reported up to 10 of their most important memories about a lost loved one and rated them regarding emotional valence, intensity and different types of memory use. Participants also rated their feelings of grief and personal growth post‐loss. Findings demonstrate that memories about lost loved ones are used in ways considered adaptive and maladaptive. Importantly, the reasons for remembering lost loved ones are strongly associated with emotional qualities of memories and the individual bereavement reaction.

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Potential risk factors for acute grief during the COVID‐19 pandemic: The mediating role of avoidance processes

Zou

Tang

et al. 2022

Clin Psychology and Psychoth

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Bereavement during the COVID‐19 pandemic may have some unique characteristics that become potential risk factors (e.g., absence of grief rituals, no opportunity to say goodbye to the deceased and loneliness caused by social distancing) for acute grief. Avoidance processes could be significant mediators in the context of the pandemic. The current study aimed to investigate whether and how these COVID‐19‐related risk factors were related to acute grief severity. Bereaved adults ( n = 319) who lost significant others during the COVID‐19 pandemic completed a self‐report questionnaire package measuring COVID‐19‐related factors, grief severity and depressive and anxious avoidance. Regression analyses suggested that among the three potential risk factors (loneliness, grief rituals and opportunity to say goodbye), loneliness was significantly associated with acute grief after controlling for basic demographic and loss‐related information. Structural equation models suggested that depressive avoidance and anxious avoidance partially mediated the associations of loneliness with acute grief severity. The findings indicate that dealing with loss during the COVID‐19 pandemic warrants further exploration concerning how potential environmental risk factors may impede adaptation to loss. Depressive and anxious avoidance processes may play important roles in grief interventions for isolated and lonely bereaved people.

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A systematic review of loneliness in bereavement: Current research and future directions

Cited by 41 publications

References 94 publications

Loneliness in Bereavement: Measurement Matters

Loneliness in Bereavement: Measurement Matters

I will keep your memory! Reasons for remembering lost loved ones

Potential risk factors for acute grief during the COVID‐19 pandemic: The mediating role of avoidance processes

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