Do They Suffer More? Reflections on Research Comparing Suicide Survivors to Other Survivors

Abstract

This article contrasts public perceptions of suicide survivors with conclusions based on comparative studies of suicide, fatal accident survivors, and other survivors. Although suicide is commonly thought to cause a particularly burden-some grief, quantitative studies have often failed to support this. We then offer some interpretations of these findings and suggest future pathways for research.

Beyond normal grief: A critical reflection on immediate post-death experiences of survivors of suicide

“…Deaths which are sudden and unexpected will tend to impose a greater burden on the bereaved (Cleiren et al, 1994;Parkes & Weiss, 1983;Rynearson, 1987). However, other research has formed different conclusions and argued that positing similarities between suicide bereavement and unnatural death bereavements collectively, creates a 'diluting' of any distinct differences (Ellenbogen & Gratton, 2001;Jordan, 2001).…”

“…Several authors such as Ellenbogen and Gratton (2001) and Clark (2001) have identified that the majority of studies that have failed to find any fundamental differences in the grief experienced after suicide, have primarily utilised quantitative methodological approach. They argue a number of the conventional research methods used are insensitive to qualitative differences unique to suicide grief and it is consequently, and mistakenly, assumed that differences in the mourning process between suicide and other types of losses fail to exist (Ellenbogen & Gratton, 2001;Jordan, 2001).…”

“…They argue a number of the conventional research methods used are insensitive to qualitative differences unique to suicide grief and it is consequently, and mistakenly, assumed that differences in the mourning process between suicide and other types of losses fail to exist (Ellenbogen & Gratton, 2001;Jordan, 2001). In contrast, evidence supports the idea of such differences as largely qualitative in nature, and includes data contained within clinical and anecdotal reports from: 1) survivors themselves (e.g., Begley & Quayle, 2007;Wertheimer, 1991); 2) those who work with survivors (e.g., Dunne et al, 1987;Payne et al, 1999); and 3) results of public perception studies (e.g., Allen, Calhoun, Cann & Tedeschi, 1993).…”

“…Subsequent qualitative studies have tended to converge on the idea that feelings of rejection and responsibility specifically are two reactions that clearly distinguish grief associated with suicide from grief resulting from other causes (Bailey, Kral & Dunham, 1999;Ellenbogen & Gratton, 2001;Jordan, 2001). …”

Die Situation Hinterbliebener nach Suizid

“…[Demi, 1984;Barrett und Scott, 1990;Rudestam, 1992]. Auch konnte man keine nur für die Trauer nach Suizid charakteristischen Reaktionen der Hinterbliebenen identifizieren [Ellenbogen, 2001]. Man geht inzwischen davon aus, dass nach einem Suizid die Trauer selbst nicht notwendigerweise viel tiefer ist, sondern dass bestimmte Charakteristika den Verarbeitungsprozess erschweren können [McIntosh, 1993;Jordan, 2001;Harwood et al, 2002] [Dunne, 1992;Bürgin, 2001].…”