Development and Testing the Effectiveness of Psycho social intervention to improve the Mental Wellbeing of Bereaved Families: A Quasi Experimental Study

Abstract

Grieving following a sudden and unexpected death of loved one's present significant challenges for their families. It may serve as a “vulnerability factor,” raising the risk of serious mental illness. The current groundbreaking study's objective was to develop and test the effectiveness of a psychosocial intervention for enhancing the mental well-being and to determine its practicality acceptability among the women in bereaved’ families. This study employed a quasi-experimental design with intervention and control groups. The participants were bereaved’ families (females) living in Malir, Karachi. To fulfill the aims, the study adopted a three-phase strategy. First, the psychosocial intervention module was developed, with the assistance of professionals. Second, 80 women from bereaved families were recruited but, finally, 62 completed the intervention, 31 in each group. The psychosocial intervention comprises six modules, with the acronym “BE HAPPY.” The intervention was delivered over six sessions of 90 min while the control group was given only a booklet. The participants’ mental health was assessed using the Warwick Edinburg Mental Well-being Scale and the Satisfaction with Life Scale at the time of baseline (T1), after 6 weeks (T2), and after 8 weeks (T3). The independent sample t-test and two-way repeated measure analysis of variance were used to measure the difference between the groups. The study intervention significantly improved the mental well-being and life satisfaction score (p < 0.001), with an effect size of 0.46 and 0.61. Hence, it should be provided as a supportive measure package to all bereaved families to preserve their mental health.