Bereaved in Me: Understanding the Vicarious Grief Experiences Among Helping Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic

• Main Authors: Jose, Kaina Marie Clare Sera, Navarro, Agham Josiah, Pomida, Angelo Nico, Hechanova-Alampay, Ma. Regina
• Format: text
• Published: Archīum Ateneo 2023
• Subjects: COVID-19; coping; helping professionals; mixed methods; vicarious grief; Clinical and Medical Social Work; Medicine and Health Sciences; Mental and Social Health
• Online Access: https://archium.ateneo.edu/psychology-faculty-pubs/413; https://doi.org/10.1177/00302228221150870
• Institution: Ateneo De Manila University

Literature on the experience of the bereaved during the COVID-19 pandemic suggests how complicated it has been for those who lost loved ones. However; the sense of grief experienced by those who journey with them is relatively unexplored. The present study examines vicarious experiences of grief of healthcare workers; faith-based workers and mental health workers who worked with the bereaved due to COVID-19 deaths. The study was done in two phases. In the first phase; a survey showed that compared to other helping professionals; healthcare workers reported the highest levels of vicarious grief. In the second phase; in-depth interviews revealed five themes: acknowledging contexts of grief; navigating relations with the bereaved; sharing others’ grief; internalizing encounters; and negotiating challenges. Findings highlight the need for supportive interventions at the organizational level.