Begeleide versus onbegeleide online rouwgerichte cognitieve gedragstherapie voor volwassenen die een dierbare verloren tijdens de COVID-19-pandemie: Een gecontroleerde studie

The loss of a loved one during the COVID-19 pandemic was considered a potentially traumatic loss, increasing the risk of prolonged grief. This controlled study examined the short- and long-term effects of guided versus self-guided online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on prolonged grief (PG), posttraumatic stress (PTS), and depression symptoms in people bereaved during the pandemic. Dutch adults (N = 131; 84% female) who lost a loved one ≥ 3 months prior were allocated to a therapist-guided (n = 67) or self-guided (n = 64) online CBT. Outcomes were measured using validated instruments through telephone interviews at baseline, immediately post-treatment, and six months post-treatment. Participants completed an 8-week online CBT. Multilevel analyses were performed. Both online CBTs were effective, but guided online CBT led to larger reductions in PG and PTS symptoms immediately post-treatment and at six-month post-treatment (but not depression). Early online CBT can effectively decrease grief-related distress in pandemic-bereaved people.