Work

The impact of unresolved grief post-COVID-19 on the youth’s mental health

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly reshaped individuals’ lives, with devastating consequences. An explorative study was conducted to understand the impact of unresolved grief post-COVID-19 on the mental health of youth. Participants were chosen using a non-probability, purposive sampling approach. Data were gathered through one-on-one interviews and analyzed following Tesch’s method. The following theme, psychological toll of grief on the youth, and five subthemes: Emotional distress, fear of death or losing another family member, difficulty dealing with grief, youth expressing suicidal thoughts, and substance misuse emerged during data analysis. In conclusion, there is a need for swift, improved coordination and policy changes at the governmental level to address the impact of burial rituals during the pandemic. Cultural rituals should be permitted at the burials of loved ones during a pandemic. Community-based support networks and integrating culturally sensitive grief education initiatives are crucial.

Source: Discover Mental Health

DOI: 10.1007/s44192-026-00578-2

Authors: H. N. Shilubane, V. Baloyi

Institution: University of Venda

Language: English

Topic: Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,490