The Efficacy of Bereavement Interventions: A Systematic Umbrella Review

Abstract: 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 ofwhat 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 andOctober 2021were included. Qualitywas assessed using the Assessment ofMultiple Systematic Reviews criteria. Intervention efficacy was determined by rating overall conclusions into three categories according to strength of evidence: positiveunconditional, 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 databaseweaknesses or weak effects), and only two reviews indicatednegative-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, werecommend further study ofthe subgroup variables and intervention features that contribute to treatment efficacy.