The Clinical Utility of Spirituality and Religion in Meaning-Making Theory for Suicide Loss Survivors: A Scoping Review

Abstract

In the case of violent/traumatic loss due to a completed suicide, there can be an overwhelming and complicated grief reaction followed by a spiritual need for the process of sense making and finding meaning. Some emerging literature on suicide loss survivors (SLSs) denotes that suicide loss is more similar to other forms of bereavement but is uniquely characterized by high levels of shame, guilt, self-blame, and stigma. This article examines themes within the current literature on the bereavement process, meaning-making theory, religion, and spirituality. The aim of this scoping review was to consider the question concerning the clinical utility of accompanying meaning-making interventions with a spiritually informed approach for SLS. The research was conducted through a scoping review. Records were identified through database searches of ProQuest (N = 93); OMNI (N = 184); and EBSCO (N = 63). Through a process involving identification, screening, and eligibility guided by inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 25 (N = 25) articles were used. These articles were analyzed in-depth for commonalities. Grief experiences, religious and spiritual experiences and meaning-making were three themes that emerged from the literature. In conclusion, this review elevates the importance of an integrated clinical counselling approach that encourages meaning-making within the context of spirituality to promote positive psychotherapy outcomes and growth for SLSs.

Introduction to the Special Issue

“…The articles by Čepulien ė and Pučinskait ė (2023) and by Post et al (2023) emphasized the important role of religion and spirituality for suicide loss survivors. This line of research is remarkably important for suicide prevention, given that postvention is prevention in this population, shown to have an elevated risk of suicide.…”

“…The qualitative research by Čepulien ė and Pučinskait ė (2023) illuminated that spirituality can deeply affect the bonds felt with those who had died by suicide. The literature review by Post et al (2023) highlighted that spiritual meaning making was an important process for clinical work with suicide loss survivors.…”

Insights on spirituality and bereavement: A systematic review of qualitative studies

“…Moreover, spiritual and religious struggles are mentioned by believers and non‐believers (Sedlar et al., 2018). Furthermore, it is known that religious traditions have a set of beliefs regarding death, and persisting bonds with the dead can be a healthy means for the resolution of grief (Post et al., 2023). Also, spiritual beliefs have been found to help in the grieving process and to affect the outcomes of bereavement (Čepulienė & Skruibis, 2022).…”