Autobiographical Perspectives on Recovery from Parental Suicide in Childhood

Abstract

Though the personal experiences and coping strategies of parental suicide survivors are significant to recovery, they have not been researched sufficiently. This study was one of few to ask survivors themselves what has been of help and to investigate more informal sources of support, such as friends or bereavement camps. A qualitative phenomenological approach was used to examine the coping strategies of 22 adults who, as children or adolescents, lost a parent to suicide. Thematic analysis identified eight strategies utilized by survivors: seeking support from family and friends; protecting emotions; gaining insight into the suicide; preserving memories; writing and art; helping others; acknowledging the relief from removal of a volatile/mentally ill individual; and spirituality. Results revealed that being a memory link for younger family members was important to survivors, suggesting the need for open and honest communication following the suicide of a parent. The positive influence of a bereavement camp was reported, indicating that such an intervention can be beneficial in cultivating effective coping skills for survivors. Dreams were highlighted as important both as a coping strategy and as a way to gain insight into a child’s world, suggesting that mental health and other professionals utilize this technique with child survivors of parental suicide. Future research devoted specifically to the natural coping efforts of childhood parental suicide survivors is needed to add to the limited knowledge base of this population.