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Support Needs and Experiences of People Bereaved by Suicide: Qualitative Findings from a Cross-Sectional British Study of Bereaved Young Adults

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  • Alexandra Pitman

    (UCL Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7NF, UK
    Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, St Pancras Hospital, London NW1 0PE, UK)

  • Tanisha De Souza

    (North East London NHS Foundation Trust, Memory Service, Broad Street Health Centre, Morland Road, Dagenham, Essex RM10 9HU, UK)

  • Adelia Khrisna Putri

    (UGM Faculty of Psychology, Jl. Sosio Humaniora 1, Sleman, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia)

  • Fiona Stevenson

    (UCL Research Department of Primary Care & Population Health, Rowland Hill St, London NW3 2PF, UK)

  • Michael King

    (UCL Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7NF, UK)

  • David Osborn

    (UCL Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7NF, UK
    Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, St Pancras Hospital, London NW1 0PE, UK)

  • Nicola Morant

    (UCL Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7NF, UK)

Abstract

People bereaved by suicide are at increased risk of suicide, but evidence is lacking that available interventions reduce suicide risk. Few large-scale studies have described the views of suicide-bereaved people regarding their needs for support. Our objective was to explore the nature of young adults’ experiences of support after bereavement by suicide and their views on valued and unhelpful aspects. We conducted a cross-sectional study of staff and students aged 18–40 at 37 United Kingdom (UK) higher educational institutions in 2010, eliciting qualitative responses to two questions probing experiences of support and unmet needs after the suicide of a close contact. We conducted thematic analysis of responses from 420 adults bereaved by suicide, of whom 75% had received support after the loss. We identified three broad descriptive areas corresponding to important aspects of support: value and experiences of the support received; views on specific support needs; and reasons for not seeking support. We found that needs for emotional support exist throughout the social networks of people who die by suicide but are often hidden. Our findings suggest a need for proactive offers of support from family, friends, and professionals after suicide, repeated regularly in case a bereaved person does not feel ready for support early on.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexandra Pitman & Tanisha De Souza & Adelia Khrisna Putri & Fiona Stevenson & Michael King & David Osborn & Nicola Morant, 2018. "Support Needs and Experiences of People Bereaved by Suicide: Qualitative Findings from a Cross-Sectional British Study of Bereaved Young Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-21, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:4:p:666-:d:139402
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pitman, Alexandra L. & Stevenson, Fiona & Osborn, David P.J. & King, Michael B., 2018. "The stigma associated with bereavement by suicide and other sudden deaths: A qualitative interview study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 198(C), pages 121-129.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lorenza Entilli & Victoria Ross & Diego De Leo & Sabrina Cipolletta & Kairi Kõlves, 2021. "Experiences of Parental Suicide-Bereavement: A Longitudinal Qualitative Analysis over Two Years," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-12, January.
    2. Millie Tamworth & Helen Killaspy & Jo Billings & Rachel Gibbons, 2022. "Psychiatrists’ Experience of a Peer Support Group for Reflecting on Patient Suicide and Homicide: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-16, November.
    3. Ken Inoue & Nursultan Seksenbayev & Nailya Chaizhunusova & Timur Moldagaliyev & Nargul Ospanova & Sholpan Tokesheva & Yersin T. Zhunussov & Nobuo Takeichi & Yoshihiro Noso & Masaharu Hoshi & Noriyuki , 2021. "An Exploration of the Labor, Financial, and Economic Factors Related to Suicide in the Republic of Kazakhstan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-9, June.
    4. Alexandra Pitman & Fiona Stevenson & David Osborn, 2022. "Investigating Whether Bereavement by Suicide and Other Unnatural Causes Has a Deterrent Effect on Alcohol or Drug Use in Young Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-11, October.
    5. Merike Sisask & Kairi Kõlves, 2018. "Towards a Greater Understanding of Suicidal Behaviour and Its Prevention," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-8, August.
    6. Valeriya Azorina & Nicola Morant & Hedvig Nesse & Fiona Stevenson & David Osborn & Michael King & Alexandra Pitman, 2019. "The Perceived Impact of Suicide Bereavement on Specific Interpersonal Relationships: A Qualitative Study of Survey Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-15, May.

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