ABSTRACT
Many thousands of families lose a loved one to suicide each year. The stigma experienced by family survivors threatens to further burden families and impede the grieving process. This study used a community-based participatory research process to explore the family stigma of suicide from a social-cognitive perspective. We describe a secondary analysis of qualitative data focusing on stigma directed at bereaved families. Thematic analysis of focus group data ( n = 62) resulted in themes describing stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination. Bereaved families were viewed as contributing to their loved ones death through abuse, neglect, denial, or failure to provide adequate help. Bereaved families were seen as emotionally strong, victims of the suicide, or as contaminated by their association. Families encounter pressure to keep the suicide a secret and experience withdrawal of support systems. Results suggest needs for evidence-based programs to address both public and internalized stigma experienced by bereaved families.
Subject(s)
Family/psychology , Social Stigma , Suicide/psychology , Survivors/psychology , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Focus Groups , Humans , Male , Young AdultABSTRACT
Families of individuals who die by suicide report public stigma that threatens their well-being. This study used a community-based participatory (CBPR) approach to describe a factor structure for the family stigma of suicide. Candidate items (n = 82) from a previous qualitative study were presented in an online survey format. Members of the public (n = 232) indicated how much they thought items represented public views and behaviors towards family members who lost a loved one to suicide. Factor analyses revealed two factors for stereotypes (dysfunctional, blameworthy), one factor for prejudice (fear and distrust), and three factors for discrimination (exclusion, secrecy, and avoidance).
