Comparing Attitudes Toward Stigmatized Deaths: Suicide and Opioid Overdose Deaths

Examining bereavement‐related needs and outcomes among survivors of sudden loss: A latent profile analysis

“…In fact, overdose loss survivors in the sample were 10 times more likely to be in the HN group, and seven times more likely to be in the MNR group, than in the LN group, revealing an overall pattern of high need in this population. This finding is consistent with literature that suggests that grieving an unexpected overdose calls for additional resources and support in the wake of a loss that is both traumatic and stigmatizing (e.g., Kheibari et al, 2021; Templeton et al, 2016). It has been suggested that the grief of overdose loss survivors is often “devalued” as a result of the decedent engaging in behavior that is morally and socially objectionable (Valentine et al, 2016).…”

“…According to Wisten and Zingmark (2007), sudden natural loss survivors endorsed the need to garner consistent emotional support from others in an effort to avoid isolation—a powerful predictor of suicide risk (e.g., Calati et al, 2019). Relatedly, given the stigma associated with suicide and drug use, mourners of these types of sudden death often find themselves isolated (e.g., Feigelman et al, 2009; Valentine et al, 2016), whether prompted by the mourner or by society (Kheibari et al, 2021). Taken together, the importance of making meaning of the loss and social connectedness is highlighted in the context of the propagation of suicide, in keeping with our findings of the importance of meaning making and relational needs among individuals who were at greatest risk for suicide in the current study.…”

Refusal of transplant organs for non-medical reasons including COVID-19 status

“…For example, gender, race, and education were found to be significant predictors of stigmatizing attitudes towards suicide. 17 It is reasonable to then conclude that significant differences would exist among groups regarding who would make such a request.…”

Beyond troubled and untroubled positions – an intersectional analysis of siblings who are bereaved by drug-related deaths’ meaning-making stories about their deceased brothers and sisters

“…The loss of a close person to a DRD has been characterized as stigmatized bereavement (Stout & Fleury-Steiner, 2023 ), and stigma has shown to be both societal (Dyregrov & Selseng, 2021 ; Reime et al, 2024 ) and self-induced (Stout & Fleury-Steiner, 2023 ), causing a silence surrounding the death both from the bereaved individuals but also from supporters (Titlestad et al, 2021 ). Kheibari et al ( 2022 ) found that people were more likely to characterize people who died by overdoses with more negative wordings, such as “pathetic,” “an embarrassment,” “irresponsible,” and “stupid,” compared to those who died by suicide. Bottomley et al ( 2023 ) argue that such attitudes are likely to be internalized by close relatives and contribute to their experiences of shame and stigma.…”