The “Forgotten Grievers”: The Impact of Pupil Suicide on Post-Trauma and Grief Symptoms in School Staff

Noa Tiech Fire, Yari Gvion (), Sarit Alkalay and Gil Zalsman
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Noa Tiech Fire: Ministry of Education, Jerusalem 9510557, Israel
Yari Gvion: Department of Psychology, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
Sarit Alkalay: Department of Psychology, Yezreel Valley Academic College, Yezreel Valley 1930600, Israel
Gil Zalsman: Geha Mental Health Center, Petah Tikwa 49100, Israel

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 19, 1-7

Abstract: Background: The suicide of a pupil impacts survivors greatly, but most studies on the subject do not consider school staff, and do not differentiate between the various professional domains. Our aim was to investigate the existence of differences in symptoms of complicated grief as well as post-trauma symptoms after a pupil’s suicide, among school staff in four domains: counsellors, psychologists, principals and home-room teachers. Method: Eighty-four staff members from schools that lost pupils to suicide within the past five years were assessed for symptoms of complicated grief and trauma. All reported their symptoms using self-report scales. Results: Principals and home-room teachers had significantly higher complicated grief and post-trauma symptoms. The main limitations of this study are that the data were collected via self-report questionnaires, which can introduce bias. Additionally, the sample is relatively small and comprises mainly women. Conclusions: School professionals in domains receiving less coping and crisis training, and those with supervisory responsibilities (principals and home-room teachers) show more symptoms of trauma and complicated grief after a pupil’s suicide, and require special attention. More preparatory training would surely benefit them and assist them in coping with such crises.

Keywords: suicide; school staff; grief; trauma (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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