Predictors of Psychosocial Distress After Suicide, Sids and Accidents

Abstract

This article compares the outcome and predictors of psychosocial distress of parents bereaved by young suicides, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and child accidents. One objective is to explore whether suicide bereavement is more difficult for those left behind than other forms of bereavement. Data have been collected from 140 families, consisting of 232 parents, by the use of the Impact of Event Scale, the General Health Questionnaire, and the Inventory of Traumatic Grief. Qualitative aspects of bereavement are assessed by in-depth interviews with family members from 40 families. The results show that the similarities between the samples on outcome and predictors are more striking than the differences, which is explained by the common traumatic aspect of unexpected and violent deaths. One and a half years post-loss, 57-78% of the survivors scored above the cut-off levels for traumatic grief reactions. Although no significant differences are found between survivors of suicide and accidents, both groups evidence significantly greater subjective distress than the survivors of SIDS. Self-isolation is by far the best predictor of psychosocial distress in all three samples. Rather than focusing on the exceptional position of suicide survivors, it seems important to call attention to sudden and traumatic death in general as a factor to be associated with post-traumatic reactions and complicated mourning.

Posttraumatic growth in bereaved parents: A multidimensional model of associated factors.

“…Dyregrov, Nordanger and Dyregrov (2003) found that one of the most significant predictors of psychosocial distress was not having surviving children. Similarly, Wijngaardsde Meij et al (2005) found that parents had lower levels of grief when they had other children.…”

L’influence des circonstances du décès sur l’ajustement au deuil

“…De plus, plusieurs études comparatives (de Groot et al, 2006 ;Dyregrov et al, 2003 ;Murphy et al, 2003 ;Harwood et al, 2002 ;Kitson, 2000 ;Bailley et al, 1999 ;Grad et Zavasnik, 1999 ;Reed, 1998 ;Cleiren et al, 1996 ;Séguin et al, 1995aSéguin et al, , 1995bCleiren et al, 1994 ;Farberow et al, 1992 ;Silverman et al, 1994Silverman et al, -1995Barrett et al, 1990 ;McNiel et al, 1988) observent les mêmes résultats et constatent qu'il y a plus de ressemblances que de différences entre les groupes d'endeuillés (morts par suicide, par accident, morts naturelles soudaines ou anticipées) au niveau de la symptomatologie et de ses manifestations (dépression, anxiété, détresse subjective, signes de deuil compliqué et ajustement à la perte), particulièrement lorsqu'il s'agit de décès traumatiques (accident, homicide, etc. ).…”

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

“…Physical and mental impairments and disturbances related to bereavement include heart problems, cancer, and symptoms of depressive and anxiety disorders (Beautrais, 1999;Clayton, 1990;Hall & Irwin, 2001;Sanders, 1999;Zisook & Shuchter, 1993), and post-traumatic stress (Beautrais, 1999;Dyregrov, Nordanger & Dyregrov, 2003). The nature and intensity of these impairments and disturbances will, naturally, be dependent upon the given circumstances in each particular case.…”