Sociocultural Factors Influencing Prolonged Grief Disorder: A Scoping Review

Narges  Ensan; Fariba  Zarani; Haleh  Ayatollahi; Leili  Panaghi

doi:10.18502/ijps.v21i3.21867

Narges Ensan Clinical and Health Psychology Department, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
Fariba Zarani Clinical and Health Psychology Department, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
Haleh Ayatollahi Health Management and Economics Research Center, Health Management Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Leili Panaghi Department of Family Health, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijps.v21i3.21867

Keywords: Bereavement; Culture; Prolonged Grief Disorder; Religion; Social Support

Abstract

Objective: Grief is a response to significant loss that may become prolonged and develop into prolonged grief disorder (PGD). Sociocultural factors can influence this process. This scoping review examined studies on sociocultural determinants of PGD.

Method: Databases searched included PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, and ProQuest. Studies published between January 2012 and December 2025 were screened in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines and analyzed descriptively.

Results: From 877 identified papers, 19 met the inclusion criteria. Four key sociocultural factors emerged: religious beliefs, mourning customs, cultural beliefs, and social support. Religious beliefs functioned as both risk and protective factors depending on the context and coping style. Mourning customs promoted healing when upheld and intensified grief when disrupted; moreover, in some contexts, rituals may also maintain grief. Cultural beliefs shaped grief expression and understanding, sometimes conflicting with diagnostic criteria. Social support, especially when culturally congruent, moderated grief outcomes, while social withdrawal or isolation also emerged as an important predictor of prolonged grief (PG) symptoms.

Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of culturally sensitive interventions in PGD. Understanding these sociocultural dynamics is essential for developing culturally tailored prevention and treatment strategies for PGD