Adolescent Bereavement Following Suicide: An Examination of Relevant Literature

Abstract

For adolescents, a loved one's death by suicide is a tragic event linked with increased morbidity, death fears, and psychopathology. For these reasons, the links between bereavement after suicide and the subsequent development of adolescents (including increased suicide risks) require further study. In the existing literature, inconsistent definitions of adolescence are used, samples of adolescents are drawn from those in psychotherapy, and other methodological problems exist.

Support groups: A psychological or social device for suicide bereavement?

“…Moore & Freeman, 1995) in which the bereaved are encouraged to accept the reality of their loss, experience the pain, let go of the deceased, adjust to life without them and either reinvest their emotional energy into other relationships or internalise the lost people as a part of themselves (Littlewood, 1992;Walter, 1996). According to Valente et al (1988), successfully accomplished bereavement enables 'personal growth and improved coping strategies', whereas unresolved grief can cause susceptibility to such problems as 'psychosis, social decompensation, substance abuse, deviant identity, accidents, psychosomatic illness, and career failure'. The task of bereavement support groups is obviously to enhance recovery from the loss.…”

Therapeutic group approaches for issues related to suicide

“…Cognitive restructuring. Since depression is highly correlated with suicidal impulses (Asarnow, et al, 1987;Garfinkel, et al, 1988) (Constantino, 1989;Valente, Saunders & street, 1988).…”

“…The knowledqe about postvention is further hampered by inadequate research practices and samplinq biases (Valente, et al, 1988 Foglia, 1977;McNiel, et al, 1988).…”

“…BBRBAVBllBllT RBSPOBSBS TO SUXCXDB Bereavement is the slow process through which survivors acknowledge a death, and strive to create some meaning out of the death. Most mental health professionals generally agree that the most difficult type of bereavement is mourning a death by suicide because the loss is premature and unexpected (Valente, et al, 1988).…”

“…Children survivors of a parental suicide often perceive themselves as completely helpless and totally unprotected from future traumatic events (Bieqel & Hipple, 1990 (Valente, et al, 1988). (Valente, et al, 1988). studies indicate that adolescents manage grief better when they are able to talk openly about the suicide with supportive persons.…”