Effectiveness of Grief Camps in Supporting Bereaved Individuals: A Systematic Review.

Abstract

Experiencing the death of a loved one is a stressful and disruptive event that can have short-term and long-term detrimental effects on the grief, mental health, and social functioning of the bereaved individuals. Grief camps represent a relatively novel form of support. However, little is known about their effectiveness. The systematic review (PROSPERO: #CRD42024547094) adhered to the PRISMA guidelines and aimed to investigate the effectiveness of grief camps on the grief and psychosocial functioning of participants. Searches in six databases (Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL) identified 31 relevant studies published between 1991 and 2022. Narrative synthesis of the study findings indicated a positive impact of grief camps on the grief and psychosocial functioning of bereaved individuals, and participants' feedback indicated that grief camps are an acceptable intervention. Further research in various locations and across different age groups may broaden our understanding of the effects of grief camps.