title: Continuing bonds after suicide bereavement in childhood.
abstract: It has been argued that the grieving process after suicide bereavement has unique properties (e.g.,J. R.Jordan, 2001). A qualitative study was conducted to explore one aspect of the grieving process--continuing bonds--after suicide bereavement in childhood. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 suicide-bereaved children and analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Smith & Osborn, 2003). Three themes are discussed: thinking about the deceased, coping strategies, and ongoing connections to the deceased. The findings highlight potentially unique qualities of continuing bonds after childhood suicide bereavement and factors that might influence their adaptiveness. Theoretical and clinical implications are outlined.
authors.affiliation: Royal Holloway, University of London, London, UK. lindsey.wood@nhs.net
authors.forename: Lindsey
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.affiliation: Royal Holloway, University of London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Byram
authors.affiliation: Royal Holloway, University of London, London, UK.
authors.forename: A Sophie
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Gosling
authors.affiliation: Winston's Wish-The Charity for Bereaved Children, Cheltenham, UK.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stokes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001601:Bereavement; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009769:Object Attachment; D063129:Parental Death / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*