Insights on spirituality and bereavement: A systematic review of qualitative studies

Abstract

AimTo describe a synthesis of the experience related to the spirituality of those living a bereavement journey in primary qualitative studies.DesignA systematic review of qualitative studies.Data SourceA systematic review was carried out in March 2019 and was updated in January 2023. Searching was accomplished by an online database, such as CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, MedicLatina, LILACS, SciELO and Academic Search Complete. The search strategy did not consider a timeline as an eligibility criterion. The quality of the studies was assessed, and a thematic synthesis was performed in this review.MethodsA systematic review of qualitative studies was conducted according to Saini and Shlonsky's methodology.Reporting MethodPRISMA checklist.ResultsThe review included 33 articles. Most of the studies were phenomenological and focused on parents' and family experiences of bereavement. Seven significant categories emerged, which match unmet spiritual needs during the grieving process. Two major categories were identified regarding the role of spirituality in bereavement: Spirituality as a process and spirituality as an outcome.ConclusionIn clinical practice, attention to spirituality and providing spiritual care is critical to guarantee a holistic approach for those experiencing bereavement.ImplicationsThe findings of our study could foster awareness that healthcare professionals should include the spiritual dimension in their clinical practice to provide holistic care to individuals, enhancing the healing process in bereavement.No Patient or Public ContributionThis is a systematic review.

Perinatal Loss and Parents’ Grief Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Method Research

“…The analysis of the self-report questionnaire (PG-13), administered six months later, confirmed the absence of a diagnosis of complicated grief in the participants [33]. Furthermore, during the baseline phase of the study, quantitative data confirmed the presence of symptomatology related to post-traumatic stress disorder in 50% of the participants, while 20% suffered from relational dyadic stress, thus showing low levels of couple satisfaction and disturbances in the parental affective sphere [24].…”

“…Typically, people rely on religion and spirituality to cope with periods of high emotional stress and declining health [32]. Moreover, the spiritual/religious dimension aids in finding meaning amid the most difficult and challenging circumstances [33], such as the traumatic experience of the COVID-19 pandemic [33,34]. In particular, those grieving may find comfort in viewing death as a passage and in maintaining a bond with the departed [35], often managing anger more effectively than those who feel abandoned by a higher power [33].…”

“…Moreover, the spiritual/religious dimension aids in finding meaning amid the most difficult and challenging circumstances [33], such as the traumatic experience of the COVID-19 pandemic [33,34]. In particular, those grieving may find comfort in viewing death as a passage and in maintaining a bond with the departed [35], often managing anger more effectively than those who feel abandoned by a higher power [33]. What Testoni and colleagues [35] highlighted in their study is that cancer patients often use a more abstract language associated with the concept of God, which results in lower levels of anxiety and distress.…”