Do religious or spiritual beliefs influence bereavement? A systematic review

Background: Responses to bereavement may be influenced by characteristics such as age or gender, but also by factors like culture and religion. Aim: A systematic review was undertaken to assess whether spiritual or religious beliefs alter the process of grief and/or bereavement. Methods: Fifteen com...

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Published in:Palliative Medicine 2007-04, Vol.21 (3), p.207-217
Main Authors: Becker, Gerhild, Xander, Carola J., Blum, Hubert E., Lutterbach, Johannes, Momm, Felix, Gysels, Marjolein, Higginson, Irene J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological
Attitude to Death
Bereavement
Grief
Humans
Palliative care
Religion
Religious beliefs
Sociocultural factors
Spirituality
Systematic review
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Summary:Background: Responses to bereavement may be influenced by characteristics such as age or gender, but also by factors like culture and religion. Aim: A systematic review was undertaken to assess whether spiritual or religious beliefs alter the process of grief and/or bereavement. Methods: Fifteen computerized databases were searched. Thirty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. Evidence was graded according to the standard grading system of the Clinical Outcomes Group and by the SIGNAL score. Results: In total, 5715 persons were examined: 69% women, 87% white, 83% protestant. Ninety-four percent of studies show some positive effects of religious/spiritual beliefs on bereavement, but there was a great heterogeneity regarding included populations and outcome measurements. Conclusion: Available data do not allow for a definite answer on whether religious/spiritual beliefs effectively influence bereavement as most studies suffer from weaknesses in design and methodological flaws. Further research is needed. Recommendations for further research are given. Palliative Medicine 2007; 21: 207—217
ISSN:0269-2163
1477-030X
DOI:10.1177/0269216307077327