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Parents’ Experiences of Suicide-Bereavement: A Qualitative Study at 6 and 12 Months after Loss

Author

Listed:
  • Victoria Ross

    (Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention, Menzies Health Institute of Queensland, Griffith University, Mt Gravatt Campus, Mount Gravatt, QLD 4122, Australia)

  • Kairi Kõlves

    (Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention, Menzies Health Institute of Queensland, Griffith University, Mt Gravatt Campus, Mount Gravatt, QLD 4122, Australia)

  • Lisa Kunde

    (Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention, Menzies Health Institute of Queensland, Griffith University, Mt Gravatt Campus, Mount Gravatt, QLD 4122, Australia)

  • Diego De Leo

    (Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention, Menzies Health Institute of Queensland, Griffith University, Mt Gravatt Campus, Mount Gravatt, QLD 4122, Australia)

Abstract

The death of a child by suicide is a severe trauma, placing parents at greater risk of psychological morbidity and physical health problems compared to other causes of death. However, few studies have examined the aftermath and bereavement experience for parents following the death of a child to suicide, limiting the ability to guide effective postvention services through empirical research. The current study, which was part of a larger longitudinal investigation of suicide bereavement in Queensland, Australia, examined the individual experiences of both mothers and fathers bereaved by suicide over time, specifically at the six month and 12 month time points after their loss. Bereaved parents who had provided written consent to be contacted for research purposes were identified through the Queensland Suicide Register, and took part in individual, semi-structured interviews. Generic qualitative analysis identified three key themes: searching for answers and sense-making, coping strategies and support, and finding meaning and purpose. Some participants showed indications of meaning-making and post-traumatic growth at 12 months after the suicide. According to the dual process model of bereavement, it is likely that participants were still oscillating between sense-making and meaning making, indicating that adapting to bereavement is a dynamic and fluctuating process.

Suggested Citation

  • Victoria Ross & Kairi Kõlves & Lisa Kunde & Diego De Leo, 2018. "Parents’ Experiences of Suicide-Bereavement: A Qualitative Study at 6 and 12 Months after Loss," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-10, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:4:p:618-:d:138472
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Rebecca Goodall & Karolina Krysinska & Karl Andriessen, 2022. "Continuing Bonds after Loss by Suicide: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-18, March.
    2. Lorenza Entilli & Victoria Ross & Diego De Leo & Sabrina Cipolletta & Kairi Kõlves, 2021. "Experiences of Parental Suicide-Bereavement: A Longitudinal Qualitative Analysis over Two Years," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-12, January.
    3. Jessica Eng & Lauren Drabwell & Fiona Stevenson & Michael King & David Osborn & Alexandra Pitman, 2019. "Use of Alcohol and Unprescribed Drugs after Suicide Bereavement: Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-12, October.
    4. Laura Grattidge & Ha Hoang & Jonathan Mond & David Lees & Denis Visentin & Stuart Auckland, 2023. "Exploring Community-Based Suicide Prevention in the Context of Rural Australia: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-18, February.
    5. Alexandra Pitman & Fiona Stevenson & David Osborn, 2022. "Investigating Whether Bereavement by Suicide and Other Unnatural Causes Has a Deterrent Effect on Alcohol or Drug Use in Young Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-11, October.
    6. Eunjoo Lee, 2022. "Experiences of Bereaved Families by Suicide in South Korea: A Phenomenological Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-13, March.
    7. Yan Chen & Aarno Laitila, 2023. "Longitudinal Changes in Suicide Bereavement Experiences: A Qualitative Study of Family Members over 18 Months after Loss," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-14, February.
    8. Sharna Mathieu & Racquel Todor & Diego De Leo & Kairi Kõlves, 2022. "Coping Styles Utilized during Suicide and Sudden Death Bereavement in the First Six Months," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-14, November.
    9. Merike Sisask & Kairi Kõlves, 2018. "Towards a Greater Understanding of Suicidal Behaviour and Its Prevention," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-8, August.
    10. Valeriya Azorina & Nicola Morant & Hedvig Nesse & Fiona Stevenson & David Osborn & Michael King & Alexandra Pitman, 2019. "The Perceived Impact of Suicide Bereavement on Specific Interpersonal Relationships: A Qualitative Study of Survey Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-15, May.

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