Is the Emotional Response of Survivors Dependent on the Consequences of the Suicide and the Support Received?
Abstract
Background: Despite numerous studies that have assessed emotional reactions of people bereaved by suicide, many questions in this field are not yet clarified. Aims: The purpose of the present study was to explore how emotional reactions of those bereaved by suicide depend on their gender, the relationship to the deceased, the consequences (“only negative,” “negative and positive,” “predominantly positive”) of the death for the bereaved and the professional support received. Methods: The relationship between emotional reactions and characteristics was assessed in 163 suicide bereaved. Most bereaved, including all the parents of the suicide victims, had experienced emotions that occurred so often and so strongly that they had disturbed everyday life. The most frequently reported emotions were guilt and depressed mood. Female gender and being parents or spouses were associated with increased risk for lack of energy. Furthermore, the emotions of the bereaved depended on the consequences of the suicide and the professional support received. Conclusions: Professional support might be particularly important for suicide bereaved.
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