Abstract
Introduction
Losing a family member to suicide is a traumatic experience which included guilt and self-stigma. Yet, there is lack of data synthesis on survivors’ experience.
Aim
A meta-synthesis of qualitative data on the interpretation of loss in suicide-bereaved family members, their coping strategies and the effects on family.
Method
A meta-ethnographic synthesis following a systematic literature search and evaluation of the methodological quality of the selected studies was applied.
Results
The narratives of 326 individuals (parents/siblings/children/spouses) reported in sixteen studies were analyzed. Trying to achieve a balance between keeping alive a non-traumatizing memory of the deceased, destigmatizing and liberating themselves from self-blame, self-criticism and guilt while being able to transform this experience into support towards others in need, was identified as the essence of the experience of the bereaved.
Discussion
Although suicide within a family is a traumatic experience, spiritual and existential implications among the bereaved have been reported; their coping mechanisms mediate the impact of suicide on family sustainability.
Implications for practice
Nursing interventions to facilitate adoption of coping strategies centered on keeping a non-traumatizing memory of the deceased among the bereaved and promote their participation in self-help groups and activities to support others in need are important.