Enlutar Group: a pilot psychological support intervention for bereaved adults

Abstract

Introduction: The grieving process arises from the breakup of an important bond or significant loss, which can be caused by the death of a loved one. In this sense, in order to have an adequate elaboration, psychological support actions become fundamental in the practice with bereaved. Objective: To present a pilot intervention of psychological support to the grief of death for adults. Experience report: Two online format groups were held during the COVID-19 pandemic. For the intervention, the adapted Grief Intervention Protocol was used, based on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, which proposes 12 meetings. The Texas Inventory Revised of Grief and Initial Psychological Assessment Protocol were applied in a grief and loss outpatient clinic, in addition to a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire. Discussion: 23 women participated, the majority being white, Catholic and with an indication of complicated grief. The causes of death were diverse and the time elapsed after the loss was varied, but there was a greater demand for people whose bereavement was recent, which is generally the most critical moment. The application of cognitive and behavioral techniques allowed the expression of feelings, the learning of coping strategies and the prevention of relapses. The relevance of this intervention is highlighted due to the need for further studies that present protocols for action with the bereaved. However, important limitations were identified, such as the small sample size, the absence of a control group and the sample loss during the realization of the groups. Conclusion: The intervention proved to be an important support space for the bereaved.