Continuing Bonds After Suicide Bereavement in Childhood

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.

Continuing Bonds Through After-Death Spiritual Experiences in Individuals Bereaved by Suicide

“…The results of this study are consistent with previous studies (e.g., Begley & Quayle, 2007;Harper et al, 2011;Wood et al, 2012) regarding continuing bonds as an important and helpful component of bereavement after suicide. Additionally, these findings align with previous studies (Kwilecki, 2011) and anecdotal evidence (Spencer-Thomas, 2010) regarding continuing bonds through after-death spiritual experiences among those bereaved by suicide.…”

“…There has been some research examining continuing bonds among survivors of suicide loss. For example, Wood et al (2012), in their examination of children who had lost loved ones to suicide, found that many participants believed that the deceased continued to exist externally to them, and that this was a positive experience that often offered comfort. Similarly, Begley and Quayle (2007) reported that a common theme adults reported after losing a loved one to suicide was "purposefulness" (p. 32).…”

To mourn and resist stigma: Narration, meaning-making and self-formation after a parent’s suicide

“…The communication in the different materials has sometimes also been directly addressed to the deceased parent in what theoretically has been explained as a 'continued bond' (see Klass, Silverman and Nickman 1996;Neimeyer, Baldwin and Gillies 2006;Wood, Byram and Gosling 2012). Such after death communication was most frequently expressed in the Internet contexts (article III and IV), which seem particularly well-suited to this kind of perhaps more taboo expression.…”

“…Hence, communication with an inner representation of the parent could function as a resource in grief through continued or reconnected attachment (Klass, Silverman and Nickman 1996;Neimeyer, Baldwin and Gillies 2006;Wood et al 2012). It is feasible that conflicts with the deceased parent related to the suicide itself and/or the relationship preceding the suicide might be addressed by the child and potentially resolved within this relationship.…”

“…When the daughters had finished telling and confirmed that they were satisfied, I sometimes asked a few questions at the end to further clarify the content. In addition, I usually asked about the current relationship to the deceased parent in terms of a 'continued bond' to clarify the relationship to the deceased as part of grieving (see Klass, Silverman and Nickman 1996;Neimeyer, Baldwin and Gillies 2006;Wood et al 2012).…”