Grief Interventions: A Qualitative Review of Systematic Reviews

Abstract

This review of systematic reviews aimed to synthesize the results of the 16 studies about grief interventions and their effectiveness during the last two decades. The results showed that 19 types of interventions were employed to reduce grief symptoms. Two main themes including “theory-based” and “technique-based” approaches were extracted. The majority of technique -based approaches were effective in reducing grief symptoms, while there was inconsistency in the results of the effectiveness of the theory-based approaches. Studies that compare the effectiveness of theory—and technique based interventions are recommended.

Keywords:

• grief
• interventions
• review of systematic reviews
• narrative synthesis

Disclosure statement

The authors declared no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Zahra Asgari

Zahra Asgari is a PhD candidate in the field of Counseling in the Faculty of Education and Psychology. She has focused on the topic of loss and trauma since her master’s degree and has published some papers in this area.

Azam Naghavi

Dr Azam Naghavi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology. Since 2014 she has extensively focused on researching about loss, trauma and suicide ideation/behaviors.

Mohammad Reza Abedi

Dr Mohammad Reza Abedi is a Professor in Counseling, in the Department of Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology. He was the Dean of the Faculty of Education and Psychology between 2016 and 2022 and also as the head of the Counseling and Psychological Service Center of the University of Isfahan. As part of his clinical practice and research he has worked on the area of loss, trauma and grief.