Background: Deaths by COVID-19 have left behind nearly 12 million recent bereaved individuals worldwide and researchers have raised concerns that the circumstances of COVID-19 related deaths will lead to a rise prevalence of prolonged grief disorder (PGD) cases. However, to date, no studies have examined the prevalence of PGD among people bereaved due to COVID-19. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of PGD and investigated demographic and loss-related factors associated with prolonged grief symptoms among Chinese individuals bereaved due to COVID-19. Methods: : This was a cross-sectional online survey conducted between September 1 and October 3, 2020. A total of 422 Chinese participants (55.5% males;32.73 [9.31] years old) who lost a close person due to COVID-19 participated in the study. Demographic and loss-related information was collected, and self-reported prolonged grief symptoms were measured by a 13-item International Prolonged Grief Disorder Scale (IPGDS: 1–65) and a 17-item Traumatic Grief Inventory Self Report (TGI-SR: 1–85). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the associated factors of levels of grief symptoms. Results: : Prevalence of PGD was 37.8% screened by IPGDS and 29.3% by TGI-SR. No difference was found in levels of grief symptoms between participants whose close one died more than 6 months ago and those who experienced the loss less than 6 months ago. More severe prolonged grief symptoms assessed by IPGDS was associated with losing a close person by COVID-19 rather than complications (B: 5.35;95% CI: 0.54–10.05), losing a partner (B: 7.80;95% CI: 3.24–12.37), child (B: 8.15;95% CI: 1.03–15.26), and parent (B: 5.49;95% CI: 1.49–9.48) rather than losing a relative or a person with other relationship, feeling more traumatic about the loss (B: 1.71;95% CI: 0.52–2.90), being closer with the deceased (B: 1.60;95% CI: 0.34–2.86). Moreover, Losing a grandparent (B: 6.62;95% CI: 0.53–12.71) and having more conflicts with the deceased (B: 1.05;95% CI: -0.008–2.11) were related to higher levels of grief symptoms assessed by TGI-SR. Conclusions: : Echoing to researchers’ concerns, prevalence of PGD is high among people bereaved due to COVID-19. Individuals with higher risk of developing PGD should be identified and bereavement support should be offered as early as possible.
Who suffered most after deaths due to COVID-19? Prevalence and correlates of prolonged grief disorder in COVID-19 related bereaved adults