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.


OBJECTIVE
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Becker
Gerhild
G
Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. becker@med1.ukl.uni
Xander
Carola J
CJ
Blum
Hubert E
HE
Lutterbach
Johannes
J
Momm
Felix
F
Gysels
Marjolein
M
Higginson
Irene J
IJ
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001601:Bereavement; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D012067:Religion; D029181:Spirituality