Suicide Survivor Support Groups: Comings and Goings, Part I

Abstract

This two-part report examines important aspects of survivor of suicide support groups: some of the motivating factors attracting survivors to join these groups and why many withdraw as time after a loss passes. From a variety of data sources, including survey data collected from 462 parents losing a child to suicide, participant observation data (collected over a 7-year period from more than 200 suicide survivors observed at monthly group meetings) and from follow-up interviews with 24 respondents withdrawing from groups, we investigate the above questions. In this first part, we focus on motivating factors leading suicide-bereaved individuals to participate in support groups and explore several hypotheses associated with participation: conventional religious involvements, family size differences, perceived grief and psychological distress, and help received from bereavement professionals. The present study did not confirm the research-based expectation that support group members would be more distressed than their less active counterparts.

Weekend gatherings for bereaved family members after the terror killings in Norway in 2011

“…However, in our ongoing research on the bereaved after July 22 we will explore the importance of gatherings as predictors for different health measures. Similar views about the importance of the mutual help and support received from other bereaved as voiced herein has been documented in research (Feigelman & Feigelman, 2011). The gatherings pose many challenges and need thorough planning.…”

Positive and Negative Experiences from Grief Group Participation: A Qualitative Study

“…The group participation was reciprocal, changing from active to passive roles, from getting to giving. New friendships were formed and hope gained from meeting those further in time from their loss than themselves (in open groups; Dyregrov et al, 2011;Feigelman & Feigelman, 2011).…”

“…Although there are very few empirical studies that have addressed this issue, the same issue can be raised for grief groups. Participants in this study acknowledge that they felt it hard to listen to the stories of other's losses, but were cognizant of the fact that they themselves gained from telling their own story (Feigelman & Feigelman, 2011). Only longitudinal studies measuring different aspects of grief as well as the exposure to others' stories can bring about more accurate knowledge about this potentially negative side effect of groups.…”

“…Related to the already discussed issue of re-traumatization, participants in open groups had to repeatedly listen to group member's stories as new members entered. Newcomers' stories may reinstate feelings related to a time closer to one's loss in those who have moved beyond this (Feigelman & Feigelman, 2011). They may then experience a resurgence of feelings and a repeated cycle of grief preventing them from moving on.…”

An evaluation of factors underlying suicide attempts in patients presenting at George Hospital emergency centre

“…One study noted that suicidal attempts possibly reflect an individual's inability to deal with a crisis because of a lack of coping skills and problem solving abilities, while another researchers noted that the provision of psychosocial counselling, continuing support and support groups had the potential to reduce suicide mortality. 16,17 Roughly 130 patients attend the Emergency Centre (EC) at George Provincial Hospital (GPH) daily and of those patients one or two will have attempted suicide. A suicide attempt is defined as self-injurious behaviour with a non-fatal outcome.…”