Worden’s Task-Based Model for Treating Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder During the Coronavirus Disease-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A wide range of studies has shown that the coronavirus disease (COVID)-2019 pandemic could cause many deaths on the global scale by the end of 2020 because of the high speed of transmission and predicted case-fatality rates.
 AIM: This paper is a narrative review aiming to address the treatment of persistent complex bereavement disorder (PCBD) during the COVID-19 crisis using Worden’s task-based model.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: Related papers published from 2000 to 2020 were searched in the EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases. Bereavement, COVID-19, pandemics, and Worden’s task-based model constituted the search terms. A narrative technique was implemented (including reading, writing, thinking, interpreting, arguing, and justifying) for material synthesis and creating a compelling and cohesive story.
 RESULTS: A few studies have specifically addressed the grief experiences within the COVID-19 crisis. They managed to identify some potential obstacles to grieving during the pandemic, namely, “anticipatory grief” and “multiple losses.” This study tried to use Worden’s task-based model to address the treatment of PCBD during the pandemic.
 CONCLUSIONS: Despite the paucity of information, Worden’s task-based model seems to have a considerable impact on the reduction of the PCBD symptoms. Nonetheless, further research is needed to perceive the effect of this approach on PCBD during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Depression among Medical Staff during the Coronavirus Disease-19 Pandemic in Egypt: A Comparative Web-Based Cross-Sectional Study

“…Health care workers who were isolated or working in high-risk locations had 2-3 times higher risk of posttraumatic stress [8]. There are many reasons behind mental health problems such as increasing number of confirmed and suspected cases, overwork, decline of personal protective equipment, widespread media coverage, lack of certain drugs, fear of infection for themselves and their families, caring for severing ill patients, caring for colleagues who have also become ill, and multiple losses [9], [10], [11], [12]. Hence, psychological support among health care workers is a critical part of the public health response.…”

Levels and Predictors of COVID-19-Related Anxiety in Older Adults

“…In addition to that, women are often targets of verbal and physical violence, especially in patriarchal countries. Other risk groups who may develop or progress mental illness include people with pre-existing mental health problems, survivors of domestic violence, survivors experiencing multiple losses [34], [35], people in lower-income households, loners, and socially excluded populations, such as prisoners, refugees, etc. [36].…”

“…Ill-prepared media reports can fuel panic and increase the suicide rate [34]. According to some reports, the suicide statistics may increase by 13% after non-adequate media messages [41].…”

Letter to the Editor: Burnout Management among Health Care Workers in the Age of Coronavirus Disease-19

“…Further, the available evidence has revealed that stressful jobs are more likely to cause occupational burnout. In major pandemics, including COVID-19, healthcare providers and professionals often experience higher than average workloads, longer shifts, strict organizational regulations, less time to cope with occupational hazards, sleep deprivation, disruptions of work-life balance, limited supportive resources, and grief caused by multiple losses [1], [2], [3]. These challenges often lead to emotional exhaustion, as feelings of physical and mental depletion caused by the work environment.…”