Acute grief experience in Diyarbakir condolence houses and the factors influencing the severity of grief (eng)

Abstract

Objective: The objectives of this study were to measure state anxiety levels of individuals in an acute grief period following the death of a close relative, and to evaluate the effects of degree of closeness and gender on grief reactions. Method: The study was conducted in condolence houses in Diyarbakir, Turkey with participants in mourning due to kinship with the deceased. One hundred twenty-two participants (49 females, 73 males) were included in the study. Fifty-four individuals (27 females, 27 males) who were not relatives of the deceased were included in the control group. After informing the participants about the study and obtaining their consent, all participants were asked to complete a survey with a sociodemographic data form, state anxiety inventory (SAI), and a list of possible behavioural reactions. Results: Acute grief experience was more severe and SAI scores were higher in first-degree relatives. When the loss was sudden, the mean SAI score was 51.8±8.9 and when it was an anticipated death, the mean SAI score was 45.8±11.4 (p<0.001). Grief symptoms were more severe in females compared to males (p<0.001). Psychophysiological reactions of the deceased’s relatives were observed to be more severe than the control group. Discussion: As the degree of closeness increases, and when the death is unexpected and sudden, individuals appear to be affected more, and have higher levels of anxiety. Females are affected by the grief process more than males.