Grief reactions among suicide survivors: An exploratory comparison of relationships

Abstract Little research has focused upon those who survive the suicide death of a family member. Among the existing research, survivors representing only one interpersonal relationship class to the deceased (e.g., widows or parents) are usually studied or no differentiation is made with respect to this factor. The purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate some of the assumptions frequently made regarding differences among suicide survivors as a result of their kinship relation to the deceased. Questionnaires were sent to a convenience sample of survivors who had contacted the Minneapolis Suicide Survivors Grief Group. Responses from 141 individuals who survived the suicide death of a child (N = 56), spouse (N = 24), parent (N = 24), or sibling (N = 37) were studied. Few kinship group differences were observed for feelings of guilt or anger, the severity of seeing the death scene in one's mind, personal symptoms following the suicide, or aspects of social stigma or shame. When kinship group differences were observed they were often contrary to assumptions made, particularly regarding parents as survivors of offspring suicides. It is concluded, however, that, with few exceptions, suicide survivors variously related to the deceased have similar grief experiences, and pathology is not characteristic among any kinship group, and that most expectations of differences are not supported.