Funeral Director PTSD Rates as a Consequence of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Category
Social Sciences/Humanities
Abstract/Artist Statement
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, significant media and research attention has been devoted to the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers; however, little attention has been given to the impact of COVID-19 on funeral directors. Studies before the pandemic found that high job demands (Goldenhar et al., 2001), occupational death exposure (Linley & Joseph, 2005), and heightened numbers of funerals (Harrawood et al., 2009) may have negative implications for funeral workers' mental health. The COVID-19 crisis has increased the number of deaths and funerals, as well as job expectations for funeral directors. Therefore, it is likely that funeral directors are also experiencing increased mental health concerns. Additionally, a recent study found that 28.5% of a sample of funeral directors studied met criteria for PTSD (McClanahan, 2019), a rate approximately 20% higher than that of the general population (National Center for PTSD, n.d.). Given the findings of high rates of PTSD for mortuary workers during typical times, and heightened job demands and burnout during the COVID-19 crisis, the present study sought to investigate PTSD rates of funeral directors during the ongoing pandemic. To our knowledge, it is the first study of its kind. To evaluate the PTSD rates of funeral directors during the COVID-19 pandemic, an online survey was distributed to a funeral group consisting of approximately 200 funeral homes. The final sample consisted of 10 individuals that varied across age, gender, and years of experience. PTSD diagnosis eligibility was determined using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). PCL-5 items were summed to obtain an overall score, and a cutoff score of 31 was used to determine a provisional PTSD diagnosis. Demographic questions, including years of experience, were assessed using single-item measures. Based on previous findings regarding funeral director PTSD rates and increased job demands during the pandemic, the present study hypothesized the following: 1) funeral directors will experience heightened rates of PTSD compared to the general population, 2) funeral directors will experience heightened rates of PTSD compared to previously found rates in mortuary workers (28.5%), and 3) years of experience will be negatively associated with PTSD symptoms. Descriptive statistics were utilized to assess for PTSD diagnosis eligibility and a Pearson r correlation was used to examine potential associations between years of experience and PTSD symptoms. Findings indicate that 50% of the sample met criteria for a provisional PTSD diagnosis using a cutoff score of 31, supporting the first two hypotheses. In contrast with Hypothesis 3, years of experience as a funeral director was not related to PTSD diagnosis, r(8) = .049, p=.900. The purpose of the study was to evaluate PTSD rates among funeral directors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings indicate that funeral directors are experiencing heightened rates of PTSD compared to the general population, as well as compared to pre-pandemic rates among funeral directors. Years of experience was not related to PTSD symptoms, as both new and seasoned funeral directors experienced similar levels of distress.
Mentor Name
Stuart Hall
Funeral Director PTSD Rates as a Consequence of the COVID-19 Pandemic
UC 326
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, significant media and research attention has been devoted to the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers; however, little attention has been given to the impact of COVID-19 on funeral directors. Studies before the pandemic found that high job demands (Goldenhar et al., 2001), occupational death exposure (Linley & Joseph, 2005), and heightened numbers of funerals (Harrawood et al., 2009) may have negative implications for funeral workers' mental health. The COVID-19 crisis has increased the number of deaths and funerals, as well as job expectations for funeral directors. Therefore, it is likely that funeral directors are also experiencing increased mental health concerns. Additionally, a recent study found that 28.5% of a sample of funeral directors studied met criteria for PTSD (McClanahan, 2019), a rate approximately 20% higher than that of the general population (National Center for PTSD, n.d.). Given the findings of high rates of PTSD for mortuary workers during typical times, and heightened job demands and burnout during the COVID-19 crisis, the present study sought to investigate PTSD rates of funeral directors during the ongoing pandemic. To our knowledge, it is the first study of its kind. To evaluate the PTSD rates of funeral directors during the COVID-19 pandemic, an online survey was distributed to a funeral group consisting of approximately 200 funeral homes. The final sample consisted of 10 individuals that varied across age, gender, and years of experience. PTSD diagnosis eligibility was determined using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). PCL-5 items were summed to obtain an overall score, and a cutoff score of 31 was used to determine a provisional PTSD diagnosis. Demographic questions, including years of experience, were assessed using single-item measures. Based on previous findings regarding funeral director PTSD rates and increased job demands during the pandemic, the present study hypothesized the following: 1) funeral directors will experience heightened rates of PTSD compared to the general population, 2) funeral directors will experience heightened rates of PTSD compared to previously found rates in mortuary workers (28.5%), and 3) years of experience will be negatively associated with PTSD symptoms. Descriptive statistics were utilized to assess for PTSD diagnosis eligibility and a Pearson r correlation was used to examine potential associations between years of experience and PTSD symptoms. Findings indicate that 50% of the sample met criteria for a provisional PTSD diagnosis using a cutoff score of 31, supporting the first two hypotheses. In contrast with Hypothesis 3, years of experience as a funeral director was not related to PTSD diagnosis, r(8) = .049, p=.900. The purpose of the study was to evaluate PTSD rates among funeral directors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings indicate that funeral directors are experiencing heightened rates of PTSD compared to the general population, as well as compared to pre-pandemic rates among funeral directors. Years of experience was not related to PTSD symptoms, as both new and seasoned funeral directors experienced similar levels of distress.