IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v18y2021i2p564-d478499.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Experiences of Parental Suicide-Bereavement: A Longitudinal Qualitative Analysis over Two Years

Author

Listed:
  • Lorenza Entilli

    (Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention, School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Brisbane 4000, Australia
    Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy)

  • Victoria Ross

    (Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention, School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Brisbane 4000, Australia)

  • Diego De Leo

    (Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention, School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Brisbane 4000, Australia)

  • Sabrina Cipolletta

    (Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy)

  • Kairi Kõlves

    (Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention, School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Brisbane 4000, Australia)

Abstract

Limited research exists on the experiences of parents bereaved by suicide. Our earlier qualitative analysis examined the experiences of parents’ suicide bereavement at 6 and 12 months after their loss. The current study aimed to extend the analysis over 24 months, outlining the key themes of parents’ suicide bereavement experience. In the frames of a longitudinal study of suicide bereavement in Queensland, Australia, parents were interviewed at 6, 12, and 24 months after their loss. Thematic analysis was used to further explore new themes and three key themes identified in earlier analyses: searching for answers and sense-making, coping strategies and support, and finding meaning and purpose. Results at 24 months revealed a clearer differentiation between strategies adopted by mothers and fathers. Anger and blame had changed towards feelings of depression. A polarization was observed between parents still oscillating in brooding rumination and those who have shifted towards sense-making. The former more frequently reported depression symptoms, and the latter reported a more positive attitude towards life and acceptance of their loss. Consistent with the dual-process model, parents managed to reach acceptance after oscillating between sense-making and meaning making. Findings provide insights how suicide loss affects parents, with implications for postvention.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:2:p:564-:d:478499
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/2/564/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/2/564/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. 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.
    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.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    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. Edouard Leaune & Héloïse Rouzé & Laurène Lestienne & Kushtrim Bislimi & Benoit Chalancon & Margot Morgiève & Pierre Grandgenèvre & Guillaume Vaiva & Nathalie Laplace & Emmanuel Poulet & Julie Haesebae, 2022. "The Needs, Use and Expectations of People Bereaved by Suicide Regarding Online Resources: An Online Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-12, September.
    3. Diego Garcia-Fernández & Samuel Fernández-Salinero & Gabriele Giorgi & Gabriela Topa & Ana María Marcos Del Cano, 2021. "The Impact of Suicide Utility Perception on News over Terminally Ill Patients’ Suicide Attitudes: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-11, August.
    4. 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.
    5. 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.
    6. 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.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. Merike Sisask & Kairi Kõlves, 2018. "Towards a Greater Understanding of Suicidal Behaviour and Its Prevention," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-8, August.
    4. 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.
    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. 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.
    7. 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.
    8. Ken Inoue & Nursultan Seksenbayev & Nailya Chaizhunusova & Timur Moldagaliyev & Nargul Ospanova & Sholpan Tokesheva & Yersin T. Zhunussov & Nobuo Takeichi & Yoshihiro Noso & Masaharu Hoshi & Noriyuki , 2021. "An Exploration of the Labor, Financial, and Economic Factors Related to Suicide in the Republic of Kazakhstan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-9, June.
    9. Lubens, Pauline & Silver, Roxane Cohen, 2019. "U.S. combat veterans’ responses to suicide and combat deaths: A mixed-methods study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 236(C), pages 1-1.
    10. Lang, Alexander, 2020. "The good death and the institutionalisation of dying: An interpretive analysis of the Austrian discourse," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 245(C).
    11. 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.
    12. Millie Tamworth & Sahra Tekin & Jo Billings & Helen Killaspy, 2024. "What Are the Experiences of Mental Health Practitioners Involved in a Coroner’s Inquest and Other Inquiry Processes after an Unexpected Death of a Patient? A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis o," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(3), pages 1-20, March.
    13. Lauren Drabwell & Jessica Eng & Fiona Stevenson & Michael King & David Osborn & Alexandra Pitman, 2020. "Perceptions of the Use of Alcohol and Drugs after Sudden Bereavement by Unnatural Causes: Analysis of Online Qualitative Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-16, January.
    14. 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.
    15. Eunjoo Lee, 2022. "Experiences of Bereaved Families by Suicide in South Korea: A Phenomenological Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-13, March.
    16. 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.
    17. Eve Griffin & Selena O’Connell & Eimear Ruane-McAteer & Paul Corcoran & Ella Arensman, 2022. "Psychosocial Outcomes of Individuals Attending a Suicide Bereavement Peer Support Group: A Follow-Up Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-11, March.
    18. Pauline Rivart & Verity Wainwright & Sandra Flynn & Isabelle M. Hunt & Jenny Shaw & Shirley Smith & Barry McGale & Sharon McDonnell, 2021. "Ethnic Minority Groups’ Experiences of Suicide Bereavement: A Qualitative Exploratory Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-11, November.
    19. Kelly Graziani Giacchero Vedana & José Carlos dos Santos & Tiago Carlos Zortea, 2022. "The Meaning of Suicidal Behaviour for Portuguese Nursing Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-11, October.
    20. Millie Tamworth & Helen Killaspy & Jo Billings & Rachel Gibbons, 2022. "Psychiatrists’ Experience of a Peer Support Group for Reflecting on Patient Suicide and Homicide: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-16, November.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:2:p:564-:d:478499. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.