“Turning personal tragedy into triumph”: A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on posttraumatic growth among suicide-loss survivors.

Abstract

Objectives: Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is a significant positive change experienced by an individual following stressful or challenging life events in his or her life. PTG has been explored in various populations; however, only recently, the concept has been applied to suicide bereavement and postvention. This systematic review aims to explore whether PTG can ensue in the aftermath of a suicide loss and what are the sociodemographic and psychological correlates of PTG among suicide-loss survivors. Method: A systematic review, adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, identified 11 quantitative studies published between 2009 and 2019. The review was followed by an examination of the pooled effect size for the main correlates of PTG. Results: PTG following suicide loss was reported to be positively associated with time since loss, adaptive coping strategies, and help-seeking. Furthermore, perceived social support and self-disclosure mediated the relations between both PTG and attachment style and between PTG and belongingness. A meta-analysis provided evidence that these two factors have strong averaged pool effects for their correlations with PTG. Conclusions: The systematic review and meta-analysis found evidence of PTG following suicide loss and identified several psychosocial correlates of growth. Limitations of the reviewed studies, which included a lack of control groups and cross-sectional design, constrain the generalizability of the findings. Nonetheless, PTG is a relatively new area of research in postvention that carries substantial implications for the delivery of effective support to individuals coping with suicide loss. Clinical Impact StatementPosttraumatic growth (PTG) is a relatively new area of research in postvention that carries substantial implications for the delivery of effective support to individuals coping with suicide loss. In this review, we sought to offer a broad psychological consideration of PTG among individuals bereaved by suicide. The primary correlates of PTG were interpersonal factors such as self-disclosure and social support. A meta-analysis provided evidence that these factors have strong averaged pool effects for their correlations with PTG. Thus, from a clinical perspective, postvention efforts may be enhanced by facilitating interpersonal interaction skills, as they can enhance the prospect of PTG as well as diminish mental pain, stigma, and loneliness among suicide-bereaved individuals.

“It Changes Your Orbit”: The Impact of Suicide and Traumatic Death on Adolescents as Experienced by Adolescents and Parents

“…Overall, the relationship between cause of death and personal growth in adolescents is not clear [ 70 , 71 ]. In line with the literature on personal growth in adults bereaved by suicide, the scant literature on adolescents suggests that intermediate levels of grief-related impact (contrary to high or low levels) and actively engaging and struggling with the grief process may facilitate personal growth in adolescents [ 71 , 72 , 73 ]. Further research may elucidate which psychological (e.g., coping styles) or social factors (e.g., family relationships, help-seeking) may contribute to personal growth in bereaved adolescents, and how this may inform interventions for this population [ 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 ].…”

Editorial: Grief After Suicide: A Health Perspective on Needs, Effective Help, and Personal Growth

“…Those bereaved who have a personal or family history of mental health and/or suicidal behavior appear to be more vulnerable to the negative psychosocial outcomes (Andriessen et al, 2016 ; Pitman et al, 2016 ). Despite these challenges, people bereaved by suicide can also experience personal and posttraumatic growth (Castelli Dransart, 2016 ; Genest et al, 2017 ; Levi-Belz et al, 2020 ). Research has shown that ~1 in 5 people may experience a suicide during their lifetime highlighting the public and mental health importance of loss by suicide (Andriessen et al, 2017c ).…”

Exploring experiences of supports for suicide bereavement in Ireland: protocol for a national survey

“…The data on the supports accessed in conjunction with standardised measures of wellbeing and grief will allow us to examine differences in the characteristics of people receiving supports and identify future directions for the limited literature on interventions for people bereaved by suicide ( Andriessen et al , 2019 ). Furthermore, the survey aims to provide information on the bereavement experiences of first responders and the experience of posttraumatic growth following bereavement which are identified as important areas for research but have received limited focus so far ( Levi-Belz et al , 2021 ; Levi-Belz, 2019 ; Lyra et al , 2021 ; Maple et al , 2019 ).…”

“…A message on the introductory survey page will highlight that the survey could be challenging for those who have been recently bereaved and will ask people who have been recently bereaved to consider if now is a good time for them to complete the survey. Furthermore, the Personal Growth subscale from the HGRC will not be presented to those who have been bereaved for less than a year as personal growth as measured by this scale typically emerges later following bereavement ( Levi-Belz et al , 2021 ) and these items may be construed as insensitive for those who have been recently bereaved.…”