Mediating Consolation With Suicidal Patients

Patients' Experiences After Attempted Suicide: A Literature Review

The aim of this study has been to synthesize research on suicidal patients' experiences of the suicide process. A literature search was performed in CINAHL, PubMed, and PsycINFO, and the analysis of the 15 articles covered was based on meta-synthesis. Patients experience a wide variety of feelings regarding their situation during the suicide process, and these exist on two levels: they relate to the different aspects of care that the patients receive and the patients' need to communicate with others and regain hope. The patients in this study described the struggle to maintain hope when life became too difficult and their suffering despite a sense of security, and they sought to achieve emotional balance. A good understanding of how suicidal individuals live with and manage suicidal ideation, while maintaining hope is important for planning effective nursing care. Further research from the patient perspective is needed to further develop psychiatric care for people at risk of suicide.

Grief, Consolation, and Religions: A Conceptual Framework

Consolation is grief's traditional amelioration, but contemporary bereavement theory lacks a conceptual framework to include it. The article begins to develop that framework. The article argues that grief is inter-subjective, even at the biological level. Consolation and grief happen in the same inter-subjective space. Material from the histories of several religions sets the article in a cross-cultural and historical environment. The article examines consolation in interpersonal relationships, and then moves to consolation in cultural/religious resources that range from the literal image of God as an idealized parent to the abstract architecture of Brahm's Requiem. The most common consolation in the histories of religions comes within continuing bonds that are accessed in a wide variety of beliefs, rituals, and devotional objects. The article closes by briefly drawing the connection between consolation and faith.

Where can I find consolation? A theoretical analysis of the meaning of consolation as experienced by job in the Book of Job in the Hebrew Bible

The aim of the study was to explore the meaning of consolation as experienced by Job in the Book of Job and as presented in literature and how consolation relates to suffering and care. The study's theoretical design applied Ricoeur's view on phenomenology and hermeneutics. The resulting themes were as follows: consolation that is present, that originates in confrontation, that keeps suffering at a distance, that does not alleviate suffering, that originates in experience from giving comfort, and that facilitates a change of perspective. The authentic and caring consolation accepts the sufferer's incomprehensible "otherness" but however provides no answers about how to console.

Nurses' responses to suicide and suicidal patients: a critical interpretive synthesis

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To provide an inclusive understanding of nurses' responses to suicide and suicidal patients that can benefit nursing practice and guide research. The question was 'What is a critical interpretive synthesis of accumulated nursing research on nurses' responses to suicide and suicidal patients?'

BACKGROUND

Various studies address nurses' responses to suicide and suicidal patients. An understanding of accumulated research-based literature about nurses' responses to suicide and suicidal patients may guide nurses to care for suicidal patients in ways that facilitate suicide prevention and recovery.

DESIGN

The design is reflexive and iterative.

METHOD

A Critical Interpretive Synthesis was conducted, which comprised of six phases: formulating the review question, searching the literature, sampling, determining quality, extracting data and conducting an interpretive synthesis. Qualitative content analysis and systematic review of literature was included in these phases.

RESULTS

The results report the review question, literature review strategies, purposive sample (26 full-text studies published in peer reviewed journals, 1988-July 2009, conducted mostly in Europe and North American), quality determinants, data extraction into themes and an interpretive synthesis of four key concepts, i.e. critical reflection, attitudes, complex knowledge/professional role responsibilities, desire for support services/resources.

CONCLUSION

This understanding of accumulated research-based literature enhances contextual, conceptual and methodological perspectives. Contextually, gaps exist in international research. Conceptually, the four key concepts can serve as a useful guide for nurses to understand their own and other nurses' responses to caring for suicidal patients in various settings. Methodologically, the Critical Interpretive Synthesis approach moved a small body of knowledge that varied in quality measures beyond an aggregate understanding.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Understanding nurses' responses to suicide and suicidal patients may guide nurses to care for suicidal patients in ways that facilitate suicide prevention and recovery, thus addressing the urgent work of suicide prevention in the world.