Religion as a Protective Factor for Prolonged Grief Disorder According to ICD-11 Criteria: A Comparison Between Non-Religious and Religiously Affiliated or Spiritual Groups

Abstract

Background and aim. Grief, religion and spirituality are intrinsic aspects of human life. Research has shown that grief has a significant impact on physical and psychological well being and previous studies suggest that religious beliefs and spirituality are associated with grief. This paper tried to shed light on the potential protective effects of religious affiliation and spirituality on Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD). Method. Two hundred and forty-eight participants who had lost a loved one at least six months ago were interviewed by telephone on their religious affiliation and spirituality. PGD symptoms were assessed using the Traumatic Grief Inventory – Clinician Administered. Results. A Mann-Whitney U test and a one-way ANOVA showed no significant differences in PGD symptomatology between Christian, spiritual or non-religious participants. A hierarchical multiple regression showed that religious beliefs and spirituality did not add to the explained variance of PGD symptom level above other demographic and grief related variables. Conclusion. The results showed no empirical evidence that religious affiliation or spirituality have a protective effect on PGD. Contradicting results in the field highlight the need for methodologically rigorous research in order to obtain a better understanding of the relation between grief and religious beliefs and spirituality.