Coping Styles Utilized during Suicide and Sudden Death Bereavement in the First Six Months

Sharna Mathieu, Racquel Todor, Diego De Leo and Kairi Kõlves ()
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Sharna Mathieu: Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Centre for Suicide Research and Training, School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4122, Australia
Racquel Todor: Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Centre for Suicide Research and Training, School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4122, Australia
Diego De Leo: Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Centre for Suicide Research and Training, School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4122, Australia
Kairi Kõlves: Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Centre for Suicide Research and Training, School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4122, Australia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 22, 1-14

Abstract: Individuals bereaved by suicide experience substantial emotional distress and are at risk for poorer mental health, substance use concerns, and suicidal behaviors. This study aimed to explore whether those bereaved by suicide reported different coping styles compared to those bereaved by sudden death in the first six months. It also aimed to determine whether a previous mental health diagnosis (PMHD) and experiencing stigma and/or shame impacted the utilization of adaptive and maladaptive coping. The sample was constituted by individuals bereaved by suicide ( n = 142) compared to those bereaved by sudden death ( n = 63), six months after loss. The study included immediate family members who were 18 years or older and understood the English language. After controlling for demographics there were no significant differences in coping styles between bereavement types. Regardless of bereavement type, having a PMHD was associated with increased avoidant and problem-focused coping, and stigma and shame were each associated with increased avoidant coping. Women were also more likely to report using adaptive coping. Findings demonstrate no difference by bereavement type and have implications for the tailoring of grief/postvention supports that are sensitive to perceived stigma/shame to better facilitate utilization of adaptive emotion-focused coping, particularly for men and those with pre-existing mental health problems.

Keywords: grief; bereavement; coping; suicide; sudden death; stigma; shame; postvention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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