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“It’s a Living Experience”: Bereavement by Suicide in Later Life

Author

Listed:
  • Trish Hafford-Letchfield

    (School of Social Work and Social Policy, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK)

  • Jeffrey Hanna

    (School of Social Work and Social Policy, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK)

  • Evan Grant

    (School of Social Work and Social Policy, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK)

  • Lesley Ryder-Davies

    (School of Social Work and Social Policy, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK)

  • Nicola Cogan

    (School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK)

  • Jolie Goodman

    (Mental Health Foundation, London SE1 9QB, UK)

  • Susan Rasmussen

    (School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK)

  • Sophie Martin

    (School of Social Work and Social Policy, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK)

Abstract

Bereavement by suicide for people in later life is significantly under-researched. Research on ageing and suicide has yet to address the experiences of those bereaved by suicide and how such a devastating loss affects the ageing experience. Objectives : We explored the substantive issues involved in bereavement by suicide and its impact on later life. Methods : This was a co-produced qualitative study. Peer researchers with lived experience conducted in-depth interviews with twenty-four people aged 60–92 years. A phenomenological approach informed the data analysis. Main Findings: Themes described included (1) moral injury and trauma; (2) the rippling effect on wider family and networks; (3) transitions and adaptations of bereaved people and how their ‘living experience’ impacted on ageing. Conclusions : It is important to understand how individual experiences of suicide intersect with ageing and the significance of targeted assessment and intervention for those bereaved by suicide in ageing policies and support.

Suggested Citation

  • Trish Hafford-Letchfield & Jeffrey Hanna & Evan Grant & Lesley Ryder-Davies & Nicola Cogan & Jolie Goodman & Susan Rasmussen & Sophie Martin, 2022. "“It’s a Living Experience”: Bereavement by Suicide in Later Life," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-14, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:12:p:7217-:d:837343
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    Cited by:

    1. Yossi Levi-Belz & Karolina Krysinska & Karl Andriessen, 2023. "What Do We Know about Suicide Bereavement, and What We Can Do to Help Suicide-Loss Survivors?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(8), pages 1-5, April.

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