Conceptualizing Suicide Bereavement From an Attachment Lens

Hunt, Quintin A.; Hertlein, Katherine M.

doi:10.1080/01926187.2014.975651

Cited by 24 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 33 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Our theme of social withdrawal supports theoretical work arguing that whilst it is common for bereaved people to disengage socially and isolate themselves, some people may perceive their implicit needs for attachment as unmet, which in turn may leave those individuals feeling deserted and helpless [35]. Such reinforcement resonates with our observation of a feedback loop for some individuals between self-isolation and others’ withdrawal.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

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

Azorina¹,

Morant²,

Nesse³

et al. 2019

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

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

Azorina¹,

Morant²,

Nesse³

et al. 2019

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Exploration to understand the thoughts of those bereaved is imperative in order to improve communication and relationships between significant others. This may assist to facilitate healing and provide hope for people bereaved by suicide (Hunt & Hertlein ). Seemingly stigma in the form of rejection, towards those who have lost a loved one is not unique within family and among friends.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘People look down on you when you tell them how he died’: Qualitative insights into stigma as experienced by suicide survivors

Peters

Cunningham

Murphy

et al. 2016

Int J Mental Health Nurs

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This paper aims to present findings that convey how people felt stigmatized after the loss of a loved one to suicide. A qualitative design was used for the purpose of this study. Data were collected using in-depth, face-to-face interviews. Audio-recordings of the interviews were transcribed and thematically analyzed. Ten people bereaved by suicide participated in the study. Four themes emerged from the data namely: Feeling blamed, shamed and judged; Feeling isolated/rejected by friends and community; Feeling silenced and Feeling the burden of others' discomfort. Findings show that stigmatization of the bereaved by suicide had detrimental effects on their relationships and their help seeking behaviours. Further, due to stigma imposed on them by others, participants were denied the opportunity to tell their stories which further complicated their grieving process. Further education and training is required for health professionals to enhance understanding of the specific needs of those bereaved by suicide.

show abstract

“…Isolation, guilt, shame, self‐blame, confusion, post‐traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation and behaviour are experiences frequently associated with people who have suffered loss by suicide (Groos & Shakesperare‐Finch ; Hunt & Hertlein ). While these experiences are not exclusive to those bereaved by suicide, they are consistently more prevalent in this group than in people bereaved following other causes of death, and as such may contribute to a protracted and complicated bereavement process.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Helpful and unhelpful responses after suicide: Experiences of bereaved family members

Peters

Cunningham

Murphy

et al. 2016

Int J Mental Health Nurs

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Individuals who are bereaved by suicide and other traumatic natured deaths are thought to be at greater risk of psychological complications, than people bereaved by other means. While it is recognized that interventions can influence the bereavement process, there remains limited communications about both helpful responses and those that may adversely influence the grieving process for the suicide bereaved. This paper presents findings from a narrative study, which sought the experiences of family members after the loss of a loved one as a result of suicide. The study findings demonstrated that responses by agencies are often insensitive and not aligned with the needs of those bereaved. We argue that training is paramount for all services to increase awareness of the needs of people bereaved by suicide and available support services. Changes to organizational policies in relation to finance support would greatly support the bereaved during their time of grief and heightened distress.

show abstract

Conceptualizing Suicide Bereavement From an Attachment Lens

Cited by 24 publications

References 33 publications

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

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

‘People look down on you when you tell them how he died’: Qualitative insights into stigma as experienced by suicide survivors

Helpful and unhelpful responses after suicide: Experiences of bereaved family members

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About