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Suicide-Bereaved Individuals' Attitudes Toward Therapists
Erin F Ward-Ciesielski1, Madeline D Wielgus1, Connor B Jones1
11 Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
Crisis
|December 4, 2014
Summary
Suicide loss survivors experienced more negative views of therapists if their loved one was in therapy when they died. This finding is crucial for supporting grieving individuals and offering postvention services.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Mental Health
- Grief Studies
Background:
- Suicide-bereaved individuals face unique challenges, yet their experiences and attitudes toward mental health support remain under-researched.
- Understanding these attitudes is vital for effective intervention and support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how a deceased individual's therapy status at the time of death influences the attitudes of suicide-bereaved individuals toward therapy and therapists.
- To identify factors affecting the engagement of suicide loss survivors with mental health services.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional online survey was administered to 243 suicide-bereaved individuals in the United States.
- Data collected focused on participants' experiences and attitudes regarding therapy and therapists following their loss.
Main Results:
- Individuals whose loved ones were in therapy at the time of death reported more negative attitudes toward the treating therapist compared to other groups.
- A significant portion of participants (19.8%) had a loved one in therapy, while 33.3% did not, and 46.9% had unknown therapy status.
Conclusions:
- The deceased's engagement with therapy is a significant factor influencing the post-suicide grief experience.
- Therapists and mental health professionals should consider the deceased's therapy status when engaging suicide-bereaved individuals in postvention care.
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