Relationship between Spiritual Health and the Effects of Grief in Bereaved Survivors of COVID-19 in Mashhad, Iran 2020

Background and purpose: Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease with a death rate of 1-5%. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between spiritual health and the effects of grief from the loss of loved one due to COVID-19. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in 312 family members of the deceased COVID-19 patients in Mashhad, Iran, April-September 2020. Non-randomized sampling was performed and data were collected online using the Grief Experience Questionnaire (GEQ-34) and the Spiritual Well Being Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive tests and Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: According to findings, the highest score in dimensions of grief experience was found for the dimension of stigma (3.89±0.54), followed by the attempt to justify and cope with the absence of the deceased person (3.49±0.43), and judgment of the person or others about the cause of death (3.23±0.37). The highest relationship between spiritual health and reducing the effects of grief was seen in the dimensions of embarrassment and shame (r= -0.593), guilt (r= -0.566), and abandonment (r= -0.535). Conclusion: Abnormal grief in the family of deceased COVID-19 patients is common which could have a negative impact on physical, mental, social, and functional health. So, social support and strengthening spiritual health are needed to reduce the effects of grief in bereaved survivors.