title: The effects of preparedness for suicide following the death of a young adult child.
abstract: Suicide deaths are often viewed as sudden and unexpected. Research examining bereavement responses to suicide are generally set within this conceptual framework. Twenty-two parents were interviewed about their bereavement experience following the suicide death of a young adult son or daughter. Data analyzed using narrative methods revealed the concept of preparedness. Three distinct preparedness narratives were identified, termed turbulent-relief, tragedy, and reflective plots. The data presented here highlights the way in which these different situations influence the resultant grief. Understanding preparedness for suicide assists in explaining the variety of grief responses in parents bereaved in this manner.
authors.affiliation: School of Health, Faculty of Education, Health & Professional Studies, University of New England in Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia. mmaple@une.edu.au
authors.forename: Myfanwy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maple
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Plummer
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Minichiello
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001601:Bereavement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013405:Suicide