A cross-sectional examination of sudden-death bereavement in university students

Abstract

Background: This thesis addresses the topic of sudden death bereavement in university students.Sudden death bereavement is due to the sudden, unexpected loss of a loved one. It often occurs in a traumatic manner, which can contribute to adverse psychological and physical outcomes, including increased mortality risk. University students are a vulnerable population for poor mental health outcomes, and the sudden loss of a loved one is the most common traumatic event reported in this population. Therefore, we aim to add to the knowledge about the prevalence of this phenomenon in university students, outcomes following sudden bereavement, and factors associated with these outcomes.Method: Using a survey method that was administered online, introductory psychology students provided sociodemographic information and bereavement related information. They also completed questionnaires on mental health status, including depression, generalized anxiety, complicated grief, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and alcohol use. They finally completed questionnaires on help-seeking behaviour and coping.Results: Results from our study indicated that the sudden loss of a loved one is highly prevalent among university students. Sudden death bereaved university students were more likely to experience negative outcomes, such as complicated grief, even when the time since death, relationship to the deceased, and closeness of the relationship were taken into account.Rumination and avoidance were associated with poorer mental health outcomes with regards to depression, generalized anxiety, suicidal ideation, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Sudden death bereaved students who had significant mental health concerns were more likely to seek help. SUDDEN-DEATH BEREAVEMENT IN STUDENTS ii Conclusions:The sudden loss of a loved one has substantial negative effects on mental health among university students. Therapeutic interventions that promote more adaptive coping strategies could help students as they cope with the sudden loss of a loved one. Additionally, providing a variety of effective resources on campus for bereaved students, including peer support, could potentially reach more bereaved students.

Suicide postvention for staff and students on university campuses: a scoping review

“…The included articles were published between 1989 and 2021 (online supplemental table 1). Most articles (n=8) were from the USA,46–52 seven articles from the UK53–59 and two from Canada 60 61. The article study designs included ten quantitative studies47 48 50–52 54 56 60–62 involving the use of surveys; two qualitative studies using grounded theory and phenomenological approaches49 53 which collected data using semi-structured interviews.…”

“…Most articles (n=8) were from the USA,46–52 seven articles from the UK53–59 and two from Canada 60 61. The article study designs included ten quantitative studies47 48 50–52 54 56 60–62 involving the use of surveys; two qualitative studies using grounded theory and phenomenological approaches49 53 which collected data using semi-structured interviews. Five mixed-methods studies used a combination of questionnaires,46 55 57–59 interviews46 58 and open-ended qualitative questions 55 57–59.…”

“…Five mixed-methods studies used a combination of questionnaires,46 55 57–59 interviews46 58 and open-ended qualitative questions 55 57–59. Studies that were quantitative or had a quantitative element, used a range of existing outcome measures or developed measures to capture data on grief reactions,46 50 54 56 60 61 impact of suicide bereavement47 48 50–52 54–62 and suicidal behaviours 48 Online supplemental table 1. outlines the outcome measures in greater detail.…”

“…Two articles49 50 did not state the gender profile of the participants. Many of the articles focused on the perspectives of students (n=9)46–48 50–52 60–62 or both staff and student perspectives (n=6)54–59 with only two49 53 focusing exclusively on the perspectives of staff. Most of the articles (n=16) explored the concept of suicide bereavement.…”