Citation

Wood L, Byram V, Gosling AS, Stokes J. Death Stud. 2012; 36(10): 873-898.

Affiliation

Winston's Wish-The Charity for Bereaved Children, Cheltenham, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

24563945

Abstract

It has been argued that the grieving process after suicide bereavement has unique properties (e.g.,J. R.Jordan, 2001). A qualitative study was conducted to explore one aspect of the grieving process--continuing bonds--after suicide bereavement in childhood. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 suicide-bereaved children and analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Smith & Osborn, 2003). Three themes are discussed: thinking about the deceased, coping strategies, and ongoing connections to the deceased. The findings highlight potentially unique qualities of continuing bonds after childhood suicide bereavement and factors that might influence their adaptiveness. Theoretical and clinical implications are outlined.

Language: en