Citation

Dyregrov K, Dyregrov A. Suicide Life Threat. Behav. 2005; 35(6): 714-724.

Affiliation

Center for Crisis Psychology, Bergen, Norway. kari@krisepsyk.no

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, American Association of Suicidology, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16552987

Abstract

There is scarce research on "the forgotten bereaved"--the children and adolescents who lose a sibling by suicide. In this paper we explore their psychosocial situation and needs for assistance through a Norwegian nationwide study. The results show that particularly younger bereaved siblings are suffering from posttraumatic and grief reactions, depression, and anxiety. Most of the difficulties are not individual, but rather relational and social in nature, and largely contextually dependent. Necessary help is impeded due to the extraordinary experience leaving the siblings outside the circle of friends and parental grief community. A systematic outreach help program is presented.