The role of spirituality in coping with the psychological impact of loss, grief, and death amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: A South African case study

Abstract

In January 2020, the appearance of the coronavirus, scientifically termed COVID-19, was formally recognized as a major pandemic by the World Health Organization. The impact was severe, resulting in significant loss of life. In South Africa, the government proactively responded to the pandemic by implementing nationwide lockdown measures. The various restrictions that were imposed completely changed the way family and friends grieved their loved ones. Many could not be with their loved ones when they died, and this had an impact on the process of grieving and how they usually mourned, resulting in a lack of in person support during these challenging times. The purpose of this study was to explore how South Africans made sense of life and death, and how they coped and dealt with loss, grief death, and associated challenges connected to the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative study was employed by interviewing ten purposefully selected individuals. Results from the study highlight that life, death, and loss became more pronounced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings further indicate that participants utilised various coping mechanisms to manage grief, including seeking social support using virtual platforms, exercise, breathing, spirituality, prayer, meditation, nature, as well as prescribed medication. Religion and belief systems played a significant role in helping to facilitate the grieving process, although these practices had to be adapted because of COVID-19. Faith-based beliefs, traditions, rituals, practices, and resources used to cope with the COVID-19-related experiences of loss, can inform mental health practices, programmes, and policies for dealing with loss and bereavement in the future.

Die opkoms van die koronavirus of COVID-19 in Januarie 2020, gepas geïdentifiseer as 'n wêreldwye gesondheidskrisis deur die Wêreldgesondheidsorganisasie, het verwoesting in sy nasleep gelaat omdat miljoene lewens verlore gegaan het. In Suid-Afrika het die regering proaktiewe stappe gedoen om op die COVID-19-pandemie te reageer deur inperkingsmaatreëls nasionaal in te stel. Die verskeie beperkings wat ingestel was, het die manier waarop familie en vriende hul geliefdes bedroef, heeltemal verander. Baie kon nie by hul geliefdes wees toe hulle gesterf het nie, en dit het 'n impak gehad op die proses van rou en hoe hulle gewoonlik getreur het, wat gelei het tot 'n gebrek aan persoonlike ondersteuning gedurende hierdie uitdagende tye. Die doel van hierdie studie was om te ondersoek hoe Suid-Afrikaners sin gemaak het van lewe en dood, en hoe hulle verlies, hartseer dood en die gepaardgaande uitdagings verbonde aan die COVID-19-pandemie hanteer en hanteer het.’n Kwalitatiewe studie was gebruik deur onderhoude te voer met tien doelgerig geselekteerde individue. Die bevindings beklemtoon dat lewe, dood en verlies meer uitgesproke geword het tydens die COVID-19-pandemie. Bevindinge dui verder daarop dat deelnemers verskeie hanteringsmeganismes gebruik het om hartseer te bestuur, insluitend die soek van sosiale ondersteuning deur virtuele platforms, oefening, asemhaling, spiritualiteit, gebed, meditasie, die natuur, sowel as voorgeskrewe medikasie. Godsdiens en geloof het 'n beduidende rol gespeel om die rouproses te help fasiliteer, hoewel hierdie praktyke aangepas moes word as gevolg van COVID-19. Geloofsgebaseerde oortuigings, tradisies, rituele, praktyke en hulpbronne wat gebruik word om die COVID-19-verwante ervarings van verlies te hanteer, kan geestesgesondheidspraktyke, -programme en -beleide inlig vir die hantering van verlies en rou in die toekoms.