DISENFRANCHISED GRIEF AND DEPRESSED MOOD IN SYMBOLIC LOSSES IN ADULTHOOD

Abstract

The study aimed to analyze the evidence related to disenfranchised grief and the manifestation of depressed mood in the context of symbolic losses in adulthood. This is an integrative review conducted in the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), LILACS via the Virtual Health Library (BVS), and MEDLINE via PubMed databases, considering the period from 2021 to 2026 as the time frame. Studies published in Portuguese or English, involving adult populations, were selected when they addressed disenfranchised grief or the grieving process resulting from symbolic losses and presented information related to depressed mood, depressive symptoms, or the emotional repercussions of these experiences. A total of 699 records were identified, of which 291 remained after applying the time frame. After duplicate removal, screening, and full-text assessment, 13 studies comprised the final sample. The results highlighted losses related to health, functionality, identity, relationships, parenthood, life expectations, dementia, and caregiving. Disenfranchised grief was associated with psychological distress, fear, anguish, anxiety, burden, helplessness, frustration, and depressive symptoms. It is concluded that symbolic losses can trigger significant grieving processes, especially when such losses are not socially legitimized, reinforcing the importance of recognizing suffering and implementing mental health support strategies.