The Efficacy of Bereavement Interventions: A Systematic Umbrella Review

The Efficacy of Bereavement Interventions: A Systematic Umbrella Review

Authors
Avis, K. A. Missler, M. van Deursen, D. Lenferink, L. I. M. Stroebe, M. Schut, H.
Year
2025
Journal
Harvard Review of Psychiatry
Volume
33
Pages
127-148
In recent decades, there have been diverse reviews published on intervention program value for bereaved people. The variation and multiplicity of such reviews makes it difficult to obtain an overview of what is known about treatment effectiveness. In this systematic umbrella review, we explore the current knowledge base on psychotherapeutic bereavement intervention program efficacy. Thirty-three quantitative systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses published between January 2001 and October 2021 were included. Quality was assessed using the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews criteria. Intervention efficacy was determined by rating overall conclusions into three categories according to strength of evidence: positive-unconditional, positive-conditional, and negative-no evidence. Our results indicate that bereavement interventions are generally helpful. Seven reviews indicated positive-unconditional support for bereavement interventions. Twenty-four reviews found positive-conditional support (i.e., some evidence of value, but efficacy did not apply in all circumstances or was constrained by database weaknesses or weak effects), and only two reviews indicated negative-no evidence for support. Notably, conclusions were generally limited by poor review quality and methodological concerns (e.g., lack of randomized controlled trials and follow-up studies). As such, we call for future empirical studies and review articles to abide by methodological quality standards. Furthermore, we recommend further study of the subgroup variables and intervention features that contribute to treatment efficacy.

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Type of intervention

Treatment and Child Welfare Interventions

Topic

Mental Health Problems and Disorders

Emotional Problems

Depression and Depressed Mood

Anxiety Problems

Anxiety and Anxiousness

Trauma/ Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Other Problems

Intervention

Psychological Treatments

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Therapy

Psychosocial Treatments

Counseling/Support

The organization of interventions

Group Interventions

Age group

Age not specified

Characteristics

Overviews of Reviews

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