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

Mohsen Khosravi

doi:10.3889/oamjms.2020.5502

Authors

Mohsen Khosravi Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2020.5502

Keywords:

bereavement, coronavirus, pandemics, 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.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Plum Analytics Artifact Widget Block

References

Kaplow JB, Saunders J, Angold A, Costello EJ. Psychiatric symptoms in bereaved versus nonbereaved youth and young adults: A longitudinal epidemiological study. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2010;49(11):1145-54. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004583-201011000-00008 PMid:20970702 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/00004583-201011000-00008

Boelen PA, Smid GE. Disturbed grief: Prolonged grief disorder and persistent complex bereavement disorder. BMJ. 2017;357:j2016. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.j2016 PMid:28522468 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.j2016

Zisook S, Shear K. Grief and bereavement: What psychiatrists need to know. World Psychiatry. 2009;8(2):67-74. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2051-5545.2009.tb00217.x PMid:19516922 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2051-5545.2009.tb00217.x

Bonanno GA, Malgaroli M. Trajectories of grief: Comparing symptoms from the DSM-5 and ICD-11 diagnoses. Depress Anxiety. 2020;37(1):17-25. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22902 PMid:31012187 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22902

Lenferink LI, Nickerson A, de Keijser J, Smid GE, Boelen PA. Trajectories of grief, depression, and posttraumatic stress in disaster-bereaved people. Depress Anxiety. 2020;37(1):35-44. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22850 PMid:30339302 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22850

Nielsen MK, Carlsen AH, Neergaard MA, Bidstrup PE, Guldin MB. Looking beyond the mean in grief trajectories: A prospective, population-based cohort study. Soc Sci Med. 2019;232:460-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.10.007 PMid:31230666 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.10.007

Freud S. Mourning and melancholia. In: Strachey J, editor. Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud. London, England: Hogarth Press; 1917/1957. p. 251-268.

Kübler-Ross E. On Death and Dying. New York: Macmillan; 1969.

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2013. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

Simon NM, Shear KM, Thompson EH, Zalta AK, Perlman C, Reynolds CF, et al. The prevalence and correlates of psychiatric comorbidity in individuals with complicated grief. Compr Psychiatry. 2007;48(5):395-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2007.05.002 PMid:17707245 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2007.05.002

Lichtenthal WG, Roberts KE, Prigerson HG. Bereavement care in the wake of COVID-19: Offering condolences and referrals. Ann Intern Med. 2020;173(10):833-5. https://doi.org/10.7326/m20-2526 PMid:32574071 DOI: https://doi.org/10.7326/M20-2526

Wallace CL, Wladkowski SP, Gibson A, White P. Grief during the COVID-19 pandemic: Considerations for palliative care providers. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2020;60(1):e70-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.04.012 PMid:32298748 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.04.012

Zhai Y, Du X. Loss and grief amidst COVID-19: A path to adaptation and resilience. Brain Behav Immun. 2020;87:80-1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2020.04.053 PMid:32335197 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2020.04.053

Rajgor DD, Lee MH, Archuleta S, Bagdasarian N, Quek SC. The many estimates of the COVID-19 case fatality rate. Lancet Infect Dis. 2020;20(7):776-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1473-3099(20)30244-9 PMid:32224313 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(20)30244-9

Carr D, Boerner K, Moorman S. Bereavement in the time of coronavirus: Unprecedented challenges demand novel interventions. J Aging Soc Policy. 2020;32(4-5):425-31. https://doi.org/10.1080/08959420.2020.1764320 PMid:32419667 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08959420.2020.1764320

Eisma MC, Boelen PA, Lenferink LI. Prolonged grief disorder following the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Psychiatry Res. 2020;288:113031. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113031 PMid:32360895 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113031

Nielsen MK, Neergaard MA, Jensen AB, Bro F, Guldin MB. Do we need to change our understanding of anticipatory grief in caregivers? A systematic review of caregiver studies during end-of-life caregiving and bereavement. Clin Psychol Rev. 2016;44:75-93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2016.01.002 PMid:26796738 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2016.01.002

Mercer DL, Evans JM. The impact of multiple losses on the grieving process: An exploratory study. J Loss Trauma. 2006;11(3):219- 27. https://doi.org/10.1080/15325020500494178 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15325020500494178

Farinha-Silva S, Reis-Pina P. COVID-19: From grief and mourning to prolonged grief disorder. Acta Med Port. 2020;33(10):709. https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.14701 DOI: https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.14701

MacLure M. Clarity bordering on stupidity: Where’s the quality in systematic review? J Educ Pol. 2005;20(4):393-416. https://doi.org/10.1080/02680930500131801 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02680930500131801

Worden JW. Forms of complicated grief. In: Doka K, Tucci A, editors. When Grief is Complicated. Washington, DC: Hospice Foundation of America; 2017. p. 17-29.

Reja M, Naik J, Parikh P. COVID-19: Implications for advanced care planning and end-of-life care. West J Emerg Med. 2020;21(5):1046-7. https://doi.org/10.5811/westjem.2020.6.48049 PMid:32970552 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5811/westjem.2020.6.48049

Bowlby J. Attachment and Loss: Loss, Sadness, and Depression. Vol. 2. New York: Basic Books; 1980. https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/26.4.355 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/26.4.355

Shear MK, Simon N, Wall M, Zisook S, Neimeyer R, Duan N, et al. Complicated grief and related bereavement issues for DSM-5. Depress Anxiety. 2011;28(2):103-17. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.20780 PMid:21284063 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/da.20780

Worden JW. Grief Counseling and Grief Therapy: A Handbook for the Mental Health Practitioner. New York: Springer Publishing Company; 2018. https://doi.org/10.1891/9780826134752 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1891/9780826134752

Lazare A. Bereavement and unresolved grief. In: Lazare A, editor. Outpatient Psychiatry: Diagnosis and Treatment. 2nd ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins; 1989. p. 381-97.

Belitsky R, Jacobs S. Bereavement, attachment theory, and mental disorders. Psychiatr Ann. 1986;16(5):276-80. https://doi.org/10.3928/0048-5713-19860501-06 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3928/0048-5713-19860501-06

Attig T. How we Grieve: Relearning the World. New York: Oxford University Press; 2011.

Burke LA, Neimeyer RA. Complicated spiritual grief I: Relation to complicated grief symptomatology following violent death bereavement. Death Stud. 2014;38(1-5):259-67. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2013.829372 PMid:24524589 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2013.829372

Parkes CM, Prigerson HG. Bereavement: Studies of Grief in Adult Life. 4th ed. New York: Routledge; 2013. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315829753

Weisman AD. On Dying and Denying. New York: Aronson; 1972.

Stroebe M. Coping with bereavement: A review of the grief work hypothesis. Omega. 1993;26(1):19-42. https://doi.org/10.2190/tb6u-4qqc-hr3m-v9ft DOI: https://doi.org/10.2190/TB6U-4QQC-HR3M-V9FT

Bonanno GA, Kaltman S. The varieties of grief experience. Clin Psychol Rev. 2001;21(5):705-34. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0272-7358(00)00062-3 PMid:11434227 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0272-7358(00)00062-3

Itzhar-Nabarro Z, Smoski MJ. A review of theoretical and empirical perspectives on marital satisfaction and bereavement outcomes: Implications for working with older adults. Clin Gerontol. 2012;35(3):257-69. https://doi.org/10.1080/07317115.2012.657604 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07317115.2012.657604

Krupp G, Genovese F, Krupp T. To have and have not: Multiple identifications in pathological bereavement. Am Acad Psychoanal. 1986;14(3):337-48. https://doi.org/10.1521/jaap.1.1986.14.3.337 PMid:3744955 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1521/jaap.1.1986.14.3.337

Gomes B, Calanzani N, Koffman J, Higginson IJ. Is dying in hospital better than home in incurable cancer and what factors influence this? A population-based study. BMC Med. 2015;13:235. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-015-0466-5 PMid:26449231 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-015-0466-5

Eisma MC, Schut HA, Stroebe MS, Boelen PA, van den Bout J, Stroebe W. Adaptive and maladaptive rumination after loss: A three-wave longitudinal study. Br J Clin Psychol. 2015;54(2):163- 80. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjc.12067 PMid:25229192 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/bjc.12067

Schenck LK, Eberle KM, Rings JA. Insecure attachment styles and complicated grief severity: Applying what we know to inform future directions. Omega. 2016;73(3):231-49. https://doi.org/10.1177/0030222815576124 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0030222815576124

Simon NM. Treating complicated grief. JAMA. 2013;310(4):416- 23. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2013.8614 PMid:23917292 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2013.8614

Wortman CB, Silver RC. The myths of coping with loss revisited. In: Stroebe MS, Hansson RO, Stroebe W, Schut H, editors. Handbook of Bereavement Research: Consequences, Coping, and Care. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association; 2001. p. 405-29. https://doi.org/10.1037/10436-000 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/10436-000

Schut H. Grief counselling efficacy: Have we learned enough? Bereavement Care. 2010;29(1):8-9. https://doi.org/10.1080/02682620903560817 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02682620903560817

Wittouck C, Van Autreve S, De Jaegere E, Portzky G, van Heeringen K. The prevention and treatment of complicated grief: A meta-analysis. Clin Psychol Rev. 2011;31(1):69-78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2010.09.005 PMid:21130937 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2010.09.005

Parkes CM. Bereavement counselling: Does it work? Br Med J. 1980;281(6232):3-6. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.281.6232.3 PMid:7407489 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.281.6232.3

Ihrmark C, Hansen EM, Eklund J, Stödberg R. You are weeping for that which has been your delight: To experience and recover from grief. Omega. 2011-2012;64(3):223-39. https://doi.org/10.2190/om.64.3.c PMid:22455107 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2190/OM.64.3.c

Lister S, Pushkar D, Connolly K. Current bereavement theory: Implications for art therapy practice. Arts Psychother. 2008;35(4):245-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2008.06.006 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2008.06.006

Johannsen M, Damholdt MF, Zachariae R, Lundorff M, Farver- Vestergaard I, O’Connor M. Psychological interventions for grief in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Affect Disord. 2019;253:69-86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2019.04.065 PMid:31029856 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2019.04.065

Bui E, Nadal-Vicens M, Simon NM. Pharmacological approaches to the treatment of complicated grief: Rationale and a brief review of the literature. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2012;14(2):149-57. https://doi.org/10.31887/dcns.2012.14.2/ ebui DOI: https://doi.org/10.31887/DCNS.2012.14.2/ebui

PMid:22754287

Simon NM, Shear MK, Fagiolini A, Frank E, Zalta A, Thompson EH, et al. Impact of concurrent naturalistic pharmacotherapy on psychotherapy of complicated grief. Psychiatry Res. 2008;159(1-2):31-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2007.05.011 PMid:18336918 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2007.05.011

Liverpool Drug Interactions Group. Interactions with Experimental COVID-19 Therapies. England: Liverpool Drug Interactions Group; 2020.

Anmella G, Arbelo N, Fico G, Murru A, Llach CD, Madero S, et al. COVID-19 inpatients with psychiatric disorders: Real-world clinical recommendations from an expert team in consultation-liaison psychiatry. J Affect Disord. 2020;274:1062-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.05.149 PMid:32663933 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.05.149

Baradaran H, Gorgzadeh N, Seraj H, Asadi A, Shamshirian D, Rezapour M. Drug-drug interaction between psychiatric medications and experimental treatments for coronavirus disease-19: A mini-review. Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2020;8(1):216-28. https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2020.5010 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2020.5010

Sun Y, Bao Y, Lu L. Addressing mental health care for the bereaved during the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2020;74(7):406-7. https://doi.org/10.1111/pcn.13008 PMid:32303110 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pcn.13008

Singer J, Spiegel JA, Papa A. Preloss grief in family members of COVID-19 patients: Recommendations for clinicians and researchers. Psychol Trauma. 2020;12(S1):S90-3. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000876 PMid:32478543 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000876

Bertuccio RF, Runion MC. Considering grief in mental health outcomes of COVID-19. Psychol Trauma. 2020;12(S1):S87-9. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000723 PMid:32478551 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000723