Experiences of suicide bereavement: a qualitative study exploring the role of the GP

Fhailí, Mairéad Nic an; Flynn, N.; Dowling, Stephanie

doi:10.3399/bjgp16x683413

Cited by 27 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Importantly, consistent with other qualitative analyses of adolescent mothers' experiences (Arenson, 1994;Seamark & Lings, 2004), all the mothers we interviewed were motivated to parent better than they perceived their own mothers had. However, mothers differed in their definitions of what being a good mother meant.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

“…However, Barratt, Roach, Morgan, and Colbert (1996) found that adolescent mothers reported higher well-being postpartum than their same-aged peers without children. Adolescent childbearing may be protective for drug use and binge drinking (Fletcher, 2012), may serve as a catalyst for lifestyle changes, and may also be associated with higher self-esteem and sense of identity (Breen, 2014;Hanna, 2001;Larkins et al, 2011;Mulherin & Johnstone, 2015;Seamark & Lings, 2004;Shea, Bryant, & Wendt, 2015;Sheeran, Jones, & Rowe, 2016;Smith-Battle & Leonard, 1998). In short, compared with alternative options, the sense of life meaning and direction associated with becoming an adolescent mother may be a protective factor for women from disadvantaged backgrounds (Arai, 2003).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Adolescent Mothers' Experiences Over Time

et al. 2018

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Objective To examine patterns and trajectories for Australian adolescent mothers as they transition into adulthood. Background Adolescent mothers have diverse outcomes; some experience multiple negative outcomes for themselves and their children, and others prosper. Little is known about the experience over time for adolescent mothers and what factors affect their trajectories. Method Three exemplar women's stories are presented as case studies, showcasing themes identified from in‐depth interviews conducted with 10 women who gave birth as adolescents. Interviews were conducted at the time of infant birth, as well as 3 months, 12 months, and 5 years later. Results Two themes emerged that captured the nuanced experiences of these adolescent mothers: stability to chaos and I've grown, but I can't reach the stars. Stability in the areas of family, relationships, geography, and planning/routine were related to whether young women had sufficient resources to focus on their own growth. Conclusion An adolescent mother's functioning is related to the extent to which she experiences stability across a number of key domains, which in turn act to limit or enable growth and development. Implications Adolescent mothers are a heterogeneous group. Targeted assessments and interventions are needed that address disadvantage and promote stability.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adolescent Mothers' Experiences Over Time

et al. 2018

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“…by a relative's suicide. [17][18][19] These studies highlight the importance of services being informed by the experiences of suicidebereaved people. However, parents are potentially one of the most traumatised groups of suicide-bereaved people, and there is less evidence available [20][21][22] about how to support them in the UK.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…The GP will often be an initial source of support for those bereaved by suicide, and GPs have previously been recognised as key in the provision of care to this group. 18 In a review of the literature, the evidence base for GP services to inform their support of people bereaved by suicide was considered limited but GPs viewed bereavement care as an important part of their role. 23 The review also found that there was a great deal of variability among GP services in terms of the protocols they had in place to support those bereaved by suicide: some had clear structures in place but others did not.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experiences of support from primary care and perceived needs of parents bereaved by suicide: a qualitative study

et al. 2020

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BackgroundPeople bereaved by suicide are a vulnerable group, also at risk of dying by suicide. The importance of postvention support (intervention after suicide) has recently been highlighted; however, little is known about the support needs of parents bereaved by suicide in the UK, and the role played by general practice.AimTo explore the perspectives, experiences, and support needs of parents bereaved by suicide.Design and settingThis was a qualitative study, with semi-structured interviews conducted between 2012 and 2014 in the north of England and the Midlands, with parents bereaved by their son or daughter’s suicide.MethodInterviews explored parents’ experiences of suicide bereavement following the death of their son or daughter, with a focus on their experiences of support from primary care. Interviews were analysed thematically using constant comparison.ResultsTwenty-three interviews were conducted. Three themes were identified from the data: the importance of not feeling alone; perceived barriers to accessing support; and the need for signposting for additional support. Some parents reported having experienced good support from their general practice; others described a number of barriers to accessing help, including triage processes. Primary care was considered to be an important avenue of support but GPs were often perceived as uncertain how to respond. The need for information, signposting to avenues of support, and the helpfulness of group support were also highlighted.ConclusionParents believed it was important that people working in general practice have an awareness of suicide bereavement and understanding of their needs, including knowledge of where to direct people for further support.

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“…This study showed that GPs were particularly helpful when they acknowledged the loss and lived life of the deceased, helped to reduce stigma, and directly supported families during the grief journey. 6 Finally, GPs in all European countries may take note of the study by Verweij and colleagues from the Netherlands that shows that mindfulness training significantly reduces emotional exhaustion in GPs who are suffering from burnout. 7 Collectively, these studies affirm the central role of primary care in addressing the mental health challenge at all stages of life.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%