@article{ref1,
title="Exposure to suicide and identification as survivor",
journal="Crisis",
year="2013",
author="Cerel, Julie and Maple, Myfanwy and Aldrich, Rosalie and van de Venne, Judy",
volume="34",
number="6",
pages="413-419",
abstract="BACKGROUND: There is little empirical evidence regarding lifetime exposure to suicide or identification of those impacted by suicide deaths. Studies previously conducted used only convenience samples. Aims: To determine the prevalence of suicide exposure in the community and those affected by suicide deaths. METHODS: A random digit dial sample of 302 adults. RESULTS: 64% of the sample knew someone who had attempted or died by suicide, and 40% knew someone who died by suicide. No demographic variables differentiated exposed versus unexposed, indicating that exposure to suicide cuts across demographics. Almost 20% said they were a &quot;survivor&quot; and had been significantly affected by a suicide death. Demographic variables did not differentiate groups. The relationship to the decedent was not related to self-identified survivor status; what did differentiate those individuals impacted by the death from those who did not was their perception of their relationship with the decedent. CONCLUSIONS: Kinship proximity and relationship category to the deceased appeared to be unrelated to survivor status, but perceived psychological closeness to the deceased showed a robust association with self-identified survivor status. We need an expanded definition of &quot;suicide survivor&quot; to account for the profound impact of suicide in the community.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0227-5910",
doi="10.1027/0227-5910/a000220",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910/a000220"
}