American International Journal of Social Science

Effects of COVID-19 on Reaction to Death
Valeria Russ and James Hogan

Abstract
Grief researchers are concerned that the COVID-19 pandemic will precipitate increases in severe, persistent, and disabling grief, termed prolonged grief disorder or persistent complex bereavement disorder (Boelen, et al., 2020). This study demonstrated that individuals who were not allowed to visit their loved one during the dying process experienced more intense grief and higher depression levels compared to those who chose not to visit or were allowed to visit their loved one. This study also demonstrated that individuals who experienced the death of an unvaccinated loved one experienced more intense grief and higher depression levels compared to the death of one who had been vaccinated. A total of 169 adults, age 18 and older completed an online survey that included questions on sociodemographic and loss-related variables, the Pandemic Grief Scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory.

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