The repercussions of bereavement on the everyday lives of adults who lost family members from complications from COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: Bereavement can be understood as a dynamic process of meaning-making resulting from the rupture of a significant bond. In addition to emotional and physical manifestations, bereavement may also affect a person’s everyday life, since everyday life expresses the subjective world of the person who is bereaved. The COVID-19 pandemic caused more than 716,000 deaths in Brazil at the time this study was written, leaving hundreds of thousands of Brazilians bereaved. Objective: To understand how bereavement after the loss of family members from complications of COVID-19 affected the everyday lives of adults. Method: This was an exploratory and descriptive study with a qualitative approach. Oral history was adopted for data collection and treatment. Data were collected through an online form and semistructured interviews. The data were analyzed using Content Analysis. Results: Six adults participated in the study and presented changes in their everyday lives as a result of the loss. The participants had to learn new activities; fully assume responsibilities that had previously been shared with the deceased family member; take responsibility for urgent obligations, such as providing for the household after the death of the provider; and assume activities of other bereaved family members who were vulnerable. Furthermore, coping strategies, such as psychotherapy, medication, religious/spiritual practices, and the resumption of meaningful activities (creative and expressive), also became part of this new everyday arrangement. Conclusion: This study contributed to understanding the repercussions of bereavement on everyday life. However, since five of the six participants were women, women’s bereavement was described in greater detail in this study. Future research should investigate the current situation of people who lost family members from complications of COVID-19.