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The Perceived Impact of Suicide Bereavement on Specific Interpersonal Relationships: A Qualitative Study of Survey Data

Author

Listed:
  • Valeriya Azorina

    (UCL Division of Psychiatry, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7NF, UK)

  • Nicola Morant

    (UCL Division of Psychiatry, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7NF, UK)

  • Hedvig Nesse

    (UCL Division of Psychiatry, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7NF, UK)

  • Fiona Stevenson

    (UCL Research Department of Primary Care & Population Health, Rowland Hill St, London NW3 2PF, UK)

  • David Osborn

    (UCL Division of Psychiatry, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7NF, UK
    Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, St Pancras Hospital, London NW1 0PE, UK)

  • Michael King

    (UCL Division of Psychiatry, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7NF, UK)

  • Alexandra Pitman

    (UCL Division of Psychiatry, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7NF, UK
    Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, St Pancras Hospital, London NW1 0PE, UK)

Abstract

People bereaved by suicide have an increased risk of suicide and suicide attempt, yet report receiving less support than people bereaved by other sudden deaths. Reductions in support may contribute to suicide risk, yet their nature is unclear. We explored the impact of suicide bereavement on the interpersonal relationships of young adults in the UK using an online survey to collect qualitative data. We conducted thematic analysis of free-text responses from 499 adults to questions capturing the impact of bereavement on relationships with partners, close friends, close family, extended family, and other contacts. We identified four main themes describing the changes in relationships following the suicide: (1) Social discomfort over the death (stigma and taboo; painfulness for self or others to discuss; socially prescribed grief reactions); (2) social withdrawal (loss of social confidence; withdrawal as a coping mechanism); (3) shared bereavement experience creating closeness and avoidance; (4) attachments influenced by fear of further losses (overprotectiveness towards others; avoiding attachments as protective). These findings contribute to understanding deficits in support and pathways to suicidality after suicide bereavement. Such disrupted attachments add to the burden of grief and could be addressed by public education on how to support those bereaved by suicide.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:10:p:1801-:d:232955
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Alexandra Pitman & Adelia Khrisna Putri & Tanisha De Souza & Fiona Stevenson & Michael King & David Osborn & Nicola Morant, 2018. "The Impact of Suicide Bereavement on Educational and Occupational Functioning: A Qualitative Study of 460 Bereaved Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-17, March.
    2. Pitman, Alexandra L. & Stevenson, Fiona & Osborn, David P.J. & King, Michael B., 2018. "The stigma associated with bereavement by suicide and other sudden deaths: A qualitative interview study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 198(C), pages 121-129.
    3. Alexandra Pitman & Tanisha De Souza & Adelia Khrisna Putri & Fiona Stevenson & Michael King & David Osborn & Nicola Morant, 2018. "Support Needs and Experiences of People Bereaved by Suicide: Qualitative Findings from a Cross-Sectional British Study of Bereaved Young Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-21, April.
    4. 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.
    5. Alexandra Pitman & Khadija Rantell & Louise Marston & Michael King & David Osborn, 2017. "Perceived Stigma of Sudden Bereavement as a Risk Factor for Suicidal Thoughts and Suicide Attempt: Analysis of British Cross-Sectional Survey Data on 3387 Young Bereaved Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-12, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. 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.

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