Citation

Gordon E, McElvaney R. J. Fam. Ther. 2022; 44(3): 396-407.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/1467-6427.12388

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Suicide bereavement evokes particular emotions that can hamper recovery processes, if neglected. This Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) study explored five women's experiences of bereavement following the death by suicide of a male relative. One superordinate theme, directing from the shadows, and three interrelated subordinate themes: roller coasting, speaking the unspeakable, and finding meaning and living with suicide were identified. This study highlights that women bereaved by suicide may occupy a complex position in the family when trying to balance caring for themselves and others, sometimes leading them to negate their own support and therapeutic needs. However, women in this study felt supported by timely, flexible and sensitive professional responses and found a proactive outreach approach, peer support groups and counselling helpful at different stages in their bereavement process. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Family Therapy published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice in the UK.

Language: en