| Title |
The role of spirituality during suicide bereavement: a qualitative study / |
| Authors |
Čepulienė, Austėja Agnietė ; Skruibis, Paulius |
| DOI |
10.3390/ijerph19148740 |
| Full Text |
|
| Is Part of |
International journal of environmental research and public health.. Basel : MDPI. 2022, vol. 19, iss. 14, art. no. 8740, p. [1-26].. eISSN 1660-4601 |
| Keywords [eng] |
postvention ; suicide bereavement ; spirituality ; religion ; religious coping ; spiritual coping |
| Abstract [eng] |
Background: A loved one’s loss due to suicide can be a traumatic experience and trigger a complex grief process. Although spirituality, defined as a search for the Sacred in a broad sense, can be a resource and an obstacle in coping with the suicide bereavement process, there is a gap in scientific understanding of the role spirituality plays during the process. Methods: To explore the role of spirituality in people bereaved by suicide, we recruited 11 women who lost a life partner due to suicide. We conducted semi-structured interviews and analyzed the data using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: We identified the following three themes: spirituality is a supportive resource that can be reached for or achieved without conscious involvement; spirituality provides helpful ways to cope with grief; spirituality makes the grief process more difficult. Conclusions: Spirituality, if personally meaningful and supported by others, can function as a resource after a loved one’s suicide and even add to post-traumatic growth after the loss. On the contrary, spirituality-related issues, such as stigmatization and a lack of personally meaningful traditions, can distress the bereaved. Difficult spiritual experiences and questions can become an intricate part of the grief process. |
| Published |
Basel : MDPI |
| Type |
Journal article |
| Language |
English |
| Publication date |
2022 |
| CC license |
|
