Parental bereavement experiences following the loss of a child to suicide: A qualitative systematic review and meta-ethnographic synthesis

Losing a loved one to suicide can be a difficult experience for all bereaved individuals, however the impact on parents is highly pronounced. This meta-synthesis aimed to explore parental experiences of bereavement following the loss of their child to suicide. A search of three databases, relevant reference lists and a systematic screening process resulted in 17 studies (20 reports). Using meta-ethnography, six third-order constructs and additional subthemes emerged: (1) The impact of grief, (2) The relentless search for answers, (3) Finding someone to blame, (4) Becoming someone else, (5) Navigating relationships (6) Staying connected: the enduring parent-child bond. The quality of included studies is outlined and clinical implications for practice and areas for future research are addressed.