Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Nursing Education, Abhar School of Nursing, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
2 Smart University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Background: The unexpected death resulting from COVID-19 has led to significant mental, psychological, and physical challenges for the surviving family members. This study aims to explore the experiences of family members of Iranian COVID-19 patients regarding the crisis caused by the prolonged mourning of their loved ones.
Methods: This qualitative phenomenological research study involved 12 first-degree family members of COVID-19 patients who had passed away. Participants were selected using a purposeful sampling method. In-depth and semistructured interviews were conducted until data saturation was achieved. The analysis of the data was carried out using Colaizzi's 7-step method.
Results: After analyzing the interview content, coding, and forming categories and subcategories, three main themes were identified: "exhausting situation" with categories such as difficult encounter, unfinished farewell, and rejection of survivors; "emotional confusion" with categories like sense of loss, future worries, and feeling confusion; and "transition to adaptation" with categories including overcoming fear, supportive umbrella of surrounding people, and spirituality in adversity.
Conclusions: The crisis resulting from bereavement and untimely deaths due to COVID-19 presents the families of the patients with critical and challenging situations. The inability to naturally progress through the stages of mourning poses a significant barrier for these families to fully adapt to this tragedy. It is crucial for healthcare professionals to identify the unfinished stages of bereavement in the survivors and to provide necessary support measures to help mitigate this crisis and improve the adaptation and mental well-being of these families.
Keywords
)