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Zavrou R, Charalambous A, Papastavrou E, Koutroubas A, Karanikola M. Qualitative inquiry into the experience of suicide loss, aftereffects and coping strategies of suicide-bereaved Greek-speaking parents in Cyprus. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being 2023; 18:2265671. [PMID: 37803997 PMCID: PMC10561585 DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2023.2265671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Studies on suicide-bereaved parents are scarce in South European and Eastern Mediterranean countries. We explored the experiences of Greek-speaking suicide-bereaved parents in Cyprus, with emphasis on the interpretations of their child's suicide, its aftereffects and their coping strategies. METHODS A qualitative methodology based on inductive content analysis of the interviews of ten mothers and two fathers was applied. RESULTS The participants described their efforts to make sense of the senseless, reporting numerous interpretations of their child's suicide. Some participants had achieved to move on by trying to keep the remaining family together. Others felt detached from their social network. The different coping strategies and support systems described, reflected participants' efforts to escape from obsessive, enduring and deeply traumatizing thoughts about their child's suicide. The analysis mirrored participants' ultimate desire to find existential relief and serenity through the management of distressing reminders of their child's suicide, and alleviate the burden of their own negative self-judgement and the criticism of others. They sought physical and emotional comfort in the inner realm of their psyche, through spiritual and psychological coping processes. CONCLUSION Further exploration is suggested about intervention planning aiming to strengthen effective coping strategies and external supportive resources in mourning parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafailia Zavrou
- Cyprus Mental Health Services, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
| | | | | | - Anna Koutroubas
- Department of Nursing, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Maria Karanikola
- Department of Nursing, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
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Hwang IT, Fu-Tsung Shaw F, Hsu WY, Liu GY, Kuan CI, Gunnell D, Chang SS. "I Can't See an End in Sight." How the COVID-19 Pandemic May Influence Suicide Risk. CRISIS 2023; 44:458-469. [PMID: 35983713 PMCID: PMC10658636 DOI: 10.1027/0227-5910/a000877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences may affect population mental health and suicide risk. Aims: To explore the experiences among suicidal individuals who made calls to a suicide prevention hotline and to identify factors and psychological responses that may influence suicide risk. Method: We identified 60 eligible recorded calls to Taiwan's suicide prevention hotline (January 23, 2020-May 31, 2020) and analyzed the transcripts using a framework analysis. Results: We identified three themes: (a) effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on society (impacts on local economies, the fear of contagion, and disruptions caused by outbreak control measures); (b) stress experienced by callers, including increased challenges (financial burden, restricted freedom of movement, interpersonal conflicts, feelings of uncertainty, and education/career interruption) and reduced support (reduced access to health services and social support); and (c) the callers' psychological responses to stress, including anxiety, sleep disturbance, depression, loneliness, hopelessness, and entrapment, which may increase suicide risk. Limitations: Only the experiences among those who sought help by calling the hotline during the early months of the pandemic in 2020 were explored. Conclusion: Our findings revealed the potential process underlying the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide risk and have implications for prevention and intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- I-Ting Hwang
- Institute of Health Behaviors and Community Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Fortune Fu-Tsung Shaw
- Department of Counseling Psychology and Human Resource Development, National Chi Nan University, Nantou, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Yau Hsu
- Department of Psychology, National Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Research Center for Mind, Brain and Learning, National Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Guang-Yi Liu
- Institute of Health Behaviors and Community Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Health Policy and Management, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chen-I Kuan
- Institute of Health Behaviors and Community Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - David Gunnell
- Centre for Academic Mental Health, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, UK
- National Institute of Health and Care Research Biomedical Research Centre at the University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Bristol, UK
| | - Shu-Sen Chang
- Institute of Health Behaviors and Community Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Global Health Program, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Psychiatric Research Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Zavrou R, Charalambous A, Papastavrou E, Koutrouba A, Karanikola M. Trying to keep alive a non-traumatizing memory of the deceased: A meta-synthesis on the interpretation of loss in suicide-bereaved family members, their coping strategies and the effects on them. J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs 2023; 30:182-207. [PMID: 35996970 DOI: 10.1111/jpm.12866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Losing a family member due to suicide has been described as a traumatic experience, as suicide-bereaved relatives grapple to accept the particular character of death and the core elements of guilt, self-criticism and stigma it inflicts. There are long-term consequences for those who bereave due to the suicide of their beloved on, a high risk for mental and physical health problems included. Feelings of guilt and self-stigma influence help-seeking behaviour among suicide-bereaved individuals. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: Coping mechanisms adopted by suicide-bereaved individuals mediate the impact of suicide on their family, and especially on the quality of relationships among them. Supporting others in need can help alleviate guilt and self-blame for the suicide while it enables the bereaved to fulfil their need to keep a non-traumatizing, or even positive bond with the deceased. WHAT THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE ARE?: Nursing interventions to facilitate suicide-bereaved family members' participation in self-help support groups and promote their engagement in supporting others in need are important. Mental health nurses need to facilitate the replacement of dysfunctional coping strategies, such as substance use or self-blame with more adaptive ones focused on the personal needs of the bereaved, in order to help them embrace a non-traumatizing memory of the deceased while being in peace with the social environment. Screening for mental health problems and management of shame, self-stigma and guilt during the grieving period needs to be a priority in nursing interventions. ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Losing a family member to suicide is a traumatic experience which includes guilt and self-stigma. Yet, there is lack of data synthesis on the survivors' experience. AIM A meta-synthesis of qualitative data on the interpretation of loss in suicide-bereaved family members, their coping strategies and the effects on family. METHOD A meta-ethnographic synthesis following a systematic literature search and evaluation of the methodological quality of the selected studies was applied. RESULTS The narratives of 326 individuals (parents/siblings/children/spouses) reported in sixteen studies were analysed. Trying to achieve a balance between keeping alive a non-traumatizing memory of the deceased, destigmatizing and liberating themselves from self-blame, self-criticism and guilt while being able to transform this experience into support towards others in need, was identified as the essence of the experience of the bereaved. DISCUSSION Although suicide within a family is a traumatic experience, spiritual and existential implications among the bereaved have been reported; their coping mechanisms mediate the impact of suicide on family sustainability. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Nursing interventions to facilitate adoption of coping strategies centred on keeping a non-traumatizing memory of the deceased among the bereaved and promote their participation in self-help groups and activities to support others in need are important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafailia Zavrou
- Division of Nursing, Cyprus Mental Health Services, Paphos, Cyprus.,Department of Nursing, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
| | | | | | - Anna Koutrouba
- Department of Nursing, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Maria Karanikola
- Department of Nursing, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
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Nilsson C, Blomberg K, Bremer A. Existential loneliness and life suffering in being a suicide survivor: a reflective lifeworld research study. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being 2022; 17:2122157. [PMID: 36073742 PMCID: PMC9467526 DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2022.2122157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The aim of the study was to describe the loss of a family member by suicide, based on the lived experience of suicide survivors. Methods A phenomenology study with a Reflective Lifeworld Research approach was conducted, consisting of sixteen interviews with eight suicide survivors. Results The essence of losing a family member by suicide encompasses experiences of involuntary and existential loneliness, life suffering, and additional burdens in a life that is radically transformed, comprising prolonged and energy-intensive attempts to understand. Life for the family member encompasses a constant fear of being judged and an ambiguous silence, where this silence can both lead to involuntary loneliness and be a source of support and fellowship. Support mechanisms inside the family fall apart, and it becomes obvious that the survivors’ experiences affect others. The loss also implies an active endeavour to maintain the memory of the deceased. Conclusions Based on these results, it is important for professionals to accept the survivors as suffering human beings early—from the point of the notification of death—and consider them as patients in need of compassionate care. Such support might reduce life suffering, counteract stigma and involuntary loneliness, and work simultaneously as suicide prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Nilsson
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Health Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- Division of Emergency Medical Services and University Health Care Research Center, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Karin Blomberg
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Health Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Anders Bremer
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden
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An S, Lee H, Lee J, Kang S. Social stigma of suicide in South Korea: A cultural perspective. DEATH STUDIES 2022; 47:259-267. [PMID: 35332850 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2022.2051096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This study examined suicide stigma in relation to Korean cultural characteristics, such as Collectivism, Chemyon sensitivity (concern about losing a socially acceptable face), the tendency toward conformity, and the emphasis on the interdependent self. We found that these characteristics were connected to suicide stigma in Korea. Those with high Chemyon sensitivity tended to perceive that suicidal people were incompetent, immoral, selfish, and deviated from society. Conformity tendency was positively associated with five stigma factors: incompetence, glorification, immorality, selfishness, and social exclusion. Those who perceived themselves as interdependent tended to consider suicidal people incompetent, lacking morality, self-centered, and deviant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soontae An
- Department of Communication and Media, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hannah Lee
- Ewha Institute for Age Integration Research, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiyoon Lee
- Department of Communication and Media, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Eskin M, Köskün T, Harlak H. Beliefs about suicide prevention by excluding the phenomenon versus the person: The role of cultural orientation, attitudes towards suicide, and social reactions to suicidal persons in Turkish university students. Scand J Psychol 2022; 63:83-90. [PMID: 35028943 DOI: 10.1111/sjop.12792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Eskin
- Department of Psychology, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Koc University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Tolga Köskün
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey
| | - Hacer Harlak
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey
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Chan TMS, Cheung M. The "men in grief" phenomenon among suicide bereaved Chinese men in Hong Kong. DEATH STUDIES 2020; 46:1845-1852. [PMID: 33306457 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2020.1855609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This qualitative study addressed the intersectionality between masculine grief and gender role expectations during the grief process among men. The sample comprised 10 Chinese men in Hong Kong who had lost their wife or child to suicide. The study found that the "men in grief" phenomenon comprised three themes: making sense of hidden grief, processing grief-related guilt, and removing the stigma of masculine grieving. Future research on the masculine grieving process can focus on the association between perceived weaknesses and expected help-seeking behaviors in men who experience multiple losses after a suicide death in the family.
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Affiliation(s)
- T M Simon Chan
- Department of Social Work, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Monit Cheung
- Mary R. Lewis Endowed Professor in Children & Youth, Graduate College of Social Work, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
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Spiwak R, Elias B, Sareen J, Chartier M, Katz LY, Bolton JM. Spouses bereaved by suicide: A population-based longitudinal cohort comparison of physician-diagnosed mental disorders and hospitalized suicide attempts. J Psychiatr Res 2020; 130:347-354. [PMID: 32882576 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study compares a longitudinal population-based sample of spouses bereaved by suicide and those bereaved by other sudden deaths to determine if suicide-bereaved spouses (SBS) experience greater rates of physician-diagnosed mental disorders. METHODS First, married individuals whose spouse died by suicide, sudden natural death (SND) and unintentional injury (UI) were compared to non-bereaved matched cohorts to determine if there were differences in mental disorder rates between bereavement groups and non-bereaved matches. Second, SBS (n = 365), spouses bereaved by SND (n = 1000), and spouses bereaved by UI (n = 270), were compared using inverse probability treatment weighting and generalized estimating equations to calculate relative rates of mental disorders 5 years before/after death. OUTCOMES All bereaved cohorts had higher rates of mental disorders compared to non-bereaved cohorts. SBS had the greatest rate of depression post-bereavement (50·96%), followed by UI (38·52%) and SND (33·70%) spouses. When comparing bereavement cohorts, a significant group-by-time interaction (P = 0·047) revealed the rate change for depression was significantly different between suicide and UI-bereaved spouses, with SBS having higher rates of depression before bereavement. SBS had increased rates of any mental disorder both pre (ARR = 1·35, 95% CI = 1·03-1·18, P<·05) and post spousal death (ARR = 1·24, 95% CI = 1·03-1·45, P<·05) when compared to UI spouses signifying pre-existing mental disorders. Post-bereavement, SBS had greater rates of depression only when compared to SND-bereaved spouses (ARR = 1·31, 95% CI = 1·10-1·55, P<·01). INTERPRETATION SBS have the greatest rates of depression and any mental disorder before the death of their spouse, suggesting suicide bereavement may be unique. Sudden spousal bereavement is a vulnerable time for mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rae Spiwak
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Department of Psychiatry, University of Manitoba, Canada.
| | - Brenda Elias
- Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, S101D-750 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0W3, Canada
| | - Jitender Sareen
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Psychology, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, PZ430 PsycHealth Centre, 771 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3N4, Canada
| | - Mariette Chartier
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Research Scientist at Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Medicine, 408-727 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 3P5, Canada
| | - Laurence Y Katz
- Professor Department of Psychiatry, University of Manitoba, PZ-162, 771 Bannatyne Ave, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3N4, Canada
| | - James M Bolton
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Psychology, Department ofCommunity Health Sciences, Adjunct Research Scientist, Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, PZ430-771 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3N4, Canada
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Talseth AG, Gilje FL. Liberating burdensomeness of suicide survivorship loss: A Critical Interpretive Synthesis. J Clin Nurs 2017; 26:3843-3858. [PMID: 28252831 DOI: 10.1111/jocn.13797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES What is an interpreted and synthesised understanding of responses of survivors to a suicide death of a close person? BACKGROUND It is well known that survivors of suicide loss who are in a close relationship with the deceased are at high risk for suicidality and health conditions. Nurses in various settings need evidenced-informed approaches to encounter these vulnerable persons and support their healing journey from postvention to prevention. DESIGN The design is reflexive and iterative. METHOD A Critical Interpretive Synthesis comprised of six phases: formulating the review question; searching literature; sampling; determining quality; extracting data; interpretive synthesis. Qualitative content analysis was also. RESULTS Based on a sample of 15 published full-text qualitative and quantitative nursing research studies published between 1990 and 2016, an aggregated, interpreted and synthesised understanding of responses of survivors of suicide loss to the suicide death of a close person emerged. Four synthesised concepts were: dreading burden of suicide risk and stigma; facing burdensomeness in the aftermath of suicide death; enduring being burdened-unburdened, striving to invest in living; and liberating burdensomeness, journeying toward healing. CONCLUSIONS Contextually, geo-cultural gaps exist in published nursing studies. Most studies were from North American and a few from Asia. The reported suicide deaths occurred over a wide range of time. Conceptually, four synthesised concepts can be viewed as a process of moving from burdensomeness to liberating burdensomeness. Methodologically, a small body of knowledge that met quality appraisal was interpreted and synthesised into an understanding of an evidenced-informed approach to guide nurses' encounters with survivors of suicide loss. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE The results contribute to an evidenced-informed approach for nurses in practice to support survivors of suicide loss journeying from burdensomeness to liberating burdensomeness. Results also serve as a foundation for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Grethe Talseth
- Department of Health and Care Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University in Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway
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Shields C, Kavanagh M, Russo K. A Qualitative Systematic Review of the Bereavement Process Following Suicide. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2016; 74:426-454. [DOI: 10.1177/0030222815612281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Despite the fact that a large number of people are bereaved by suicide each year, the experiences of those bereaved by suicide are poorly understood. It has been suggested that a contributing factor in relation to this lack of understanding has been the use of quantitative methods, which may not be sensitive to the bereavement process and its thematic content. Therefore, the current article outlines a systematic review of 11 qualitative studies that address issues related to the bereavement process following suicide. The results indicate that those bereaved by suicide encounter a range of difficult feelings following suicide including blame, guilt, and emptiness and that these feelings are affected by participants’ ability to make meaning of the event. The meaning-making process is a complex one that occurs within a difficult social context in which both those bereaved by suicide and members of the wider community struggle to interact with each other in a beneficial way. Clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kate Russo
- Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, Ireland, UK
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Chiang CY, Lu CY, Lin YH, Lin HY, Sun FK. Caring stress, suicidal attitude and suicide care ability among family caregivers of suicidal individuals: a path analysis. J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs 2015; 22:792-800. [PMID: 26344827 DOI: 10.1111/jpm.12267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
ACCESSIBLE SUMMARY What is known on the subject? Suicide is a global mental health issue. Taking care of suicidal individuals is a substantial challenge. Most studies emphasize the suicidal individual. Few studies have emphasized the family caregivers of suicidal individuals. No study has explored the relationship between family caregivers' caring stress with suicidal attitudes and suicide care ability. What this paper adds to existing knowledge? The main results indicated that the older family caregivers tended to have a more negative attitude towards suicidal individuals. Female family caregivers' stress was higher than that of male family caregivers. A mild level of caring stress would help family caregivers have a more positive attitude towards suicidal individuals. Furthermore, a positive attitude would help family caregivers improve their caring ability. What are the implications for practice? Mental health nurses could help family caregivers, especially female family caregivers, reduce their holistic caring burden by looking for support resources and enhancing their coping strategies. Mental health nurses could help family caregivers promote positive attitudes towards suicidal relatives by understanding suicidal individuals' suffering. INTRODUCTION Suicide is a global mental health issue. Family caregivers play a key role in preventing suicide attempts. AIMS The aim of this study was to examine the relationship among stress due to the family caregiver's role, suicidal attitude of the family caregiver and suicide care ability among family caregivers. Additionally, instruments of caring stress, attitudes towards suicidal relatives and caring abilities used in the study were tested to measure construct validity. METHODS A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted with 164 family caregivers of people who are suicidal. The following three questionnaires were used: the Caring Stress Scale, the Suicidal Attitudes Scale and the Suicidal Caring Ability Scale. Structural equation modelling was performed using SPSS AMOS 19.0 to examine the path relationships among variables. RESULTS Bivariate analyses showed that age was negatively correlated with suicidal attitude. In the final path model, caring stress had a positive effect on suicidal attitudes. Suicidal attitude and suicide care ability were highly positively correlated. Gender had a direct effect on caring stress, which indicated that female family caregivers experienced more stress from their role. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Mental health nurses could help family caregivers become aware of the emotional pain that suicidal people experience and then promote their positive attitudes towards their suicidal relatives. Furthermore, family caregivers could increase their ability to care for their suicidal relatives, which could reduce the numbers of suicides.
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Affiliation(s)
- C-Y Chiang
- Department of Nursing, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - C-Y Lu
- Department of Nursing, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Y-H Lin
- Department of Nursing, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - H-Y Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - F-K Sun
- Department of Nursing, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
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Gall TL, Henneberry J, Eyre M. Two perspectives on the needs of individuals bereaved by suicide. DEATH STUDIES 2014; 38:430-437. [PMID: 24758212 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2013.772928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
To qualitatively explore the needs of suicidally bereaved individuals, researchers interviewed 11 suicide bereaved individuals and 4 mental health workers. Common themes of bereaved persons included the suicide grief experience, coping, interpersonal domain, struggle with meaning, self-reflection, and moving forward. Mental health workers emphasized the nature of the helping relationship, the need to emotionally process the grief, the centrality of meaning making, importance of support groups, and the role of individual counseling. These 2 perspectives informed "best practices" for postvention (e.g., understanding the need for meaning-making while recognizing when to move on).
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Affiliation(s)
- Terry Lynn Gall
- a Faculty of Human Sciences , Saint Paul University , Ottawa , Ontario , Canada
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Sun FK, Long A, Tsao LI, Huang HM. The healing process following a suicide attempt: context and intervening conditions. Arch Psychiatr Nurs 2014; 28:55-61. [PMID: 24506988 DOI: 10.1016/j.apnu.2013.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2013] [Revised: 10/02/2013] [Accepted: 10/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the context and the intervening conditions that impacted on individuals' healing from a suicide attempt. Patients who had survived a suicide attempt (n=14) and their caregivers (n=6) were interviewed in this study. Findings revealed that the suicidal individuals who lived in a sheltered, friendly environment, and had support systems helped their suicidal healing process. Conversely, suicidal individuals who experienced negative aspects of self, family predicaments, environmental difficulties, and the re-emergence of stressors impeded their suicidal healing process. Consequently, health professionals need to promote healthy internal and external environments for suicidal individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan-Ko Sun
- University of Ulster; Department of Nursing, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, R.O.C..
| | - Ann Long
- School of Nursing, University of Ulster, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Lee-Ing Tsao
- Nursing Department & Graduate school, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan ROC.
| | - Hui-Man Huang
- University of Ulster; Department of Nursing, Chang Jung Christian University, Tainan City, Taiwan R.O.C..
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Han CS, Ogrodniczuk JS, Oliffe JL. Qualitative research on suicide in East Asia: a scoping review. J Ment Health 2014; 22:372-83. [PMID: 23879834 DOI: 10.3109/09638237.2013.799265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suicide is a serious problem in East Asia. Yet, there is a significant lack of research on the topic, particularly using qualitative methodology. OBJECTIVES This scoping review reports on findings drawn from 11 qualitative studies, providing up-to-date knowledge and understandings about suicide in East Asian populations. METHODS A web-based literature search was performed to identify empirical qualitative research articles addressing suicide in East Asia, published from January 2002 to December 2011. RESULTS Three themes were identified within the reviewed studies; (1) influence of cultural beliefs; (2) the role of caregivers; and (3) specific sociological contexts. These themes are interrelated rather than mutually exclusive. CONCLUSION The findings drawn from this scoping review reveal specific as well as broad contexts where suicidal ideation and behaviours occur among East Asians. To advance understandings, future studies should focus on comparative and longitudinal research to distil prevailing trends as well as the specificities that reside among particular East Asian subgroups (i.e. gender, sexual identity and generational) as a means to developing culturally sensitive and targeted suicide prevention programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina S Han
- School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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Lu YJ, Chang HJ, Tung YY, Hsu MC, Lin MF. Alleviating psychological distress of suicide survivors: evaluation of a volunteer care programme. J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs 2011; 18:449-56. [PMID: 21539691 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2850.2010.01687.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The crisis level in the worldwide suicide rate has revealed a severe suicide problem in Taiwan that is now well above the world average of 16 per 100,000 individuals. Many countries have relied on suicide care volunteers training programmes to conduct suicide prevention programmes. However, there is a dearth of research evaluating the effect of volunteers on psychological distress and the impact of volunteer experience level. An evaluation of the impact of experienced and novice volunteers in alleviating psychological distress of suicide survivors was conducted. A supervised programme trained 15 volunteers at Years 1 and 2. Year 1 volunteers completed 400 h of service with continuing education. Programme evaluation occurred after Year 2 volunteers had completed training. Eighty-two suicide survivors were recruited. With 60 suicide survivors completing 3 month of volunteer care, a significant group difference with time interaction in suicide survivors who exhibited moderate to severe distress between the veteran care and novice care groups was found. Compared with novice volunteers, veteran volunteers with at least 1 year of experience are more effective with suicide survivors reporting higher psychological distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y-J Lu
- Municipal Fusing Junior High School, Tainan City, Taiwan
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