Psychopathological Symptoms of Individuals Recently Bereaved During COVID-19 Pandemic: Symptom Profiles, Predictive Factors and Correlations With Insomnia

Aims

This study aimed to identify subgroups of individuals bereaved within the past 1 year during the COVID-19 pandemic based on symptoms of prolonged grief disorder (PGD), depression and post-traumatic stress (PTSD). Additionally, we examined class differences in socio-demographic and loss-related variables and explored the associations between class membership and insomnia.

Methods

A total of 324 individuals (72.2% female) who experienced bereavement within 12 months (M = 4.01 months, SD = 2.45) completed Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Latent class analysis (LCA) with three-step and BCH procedure was employed.

Results

Three distinct subgroups were identified: a high symptoms class (33.4%), a high PGD, moderate depression and PTSD class (35.2%) and a moderate PGD, low depression and PTSD class (31.4%), especially yearning, preoccupation, emotional pain and loneliness, were predominant. Class membership was influenced by relationship to the deceased and expectancy of death but not by time since loss. Death due to COVID-19 did not significantly differentiate class membership compared to other causes. Additionally, significant differences in insomnia severity were observed across classes (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Distinct psychopathological patterns emerged among recently bereaved individuals during the pandemic, with PGD symptoms being particularly prominent. Tailored strategies may help address distinct symptom profiles and co-morbid symptoms within bereavement care.