Morrissey, Jean and Higgins, Agnes and Buus, Niels and Berring, Lene Lauge and Connolly, Terry and Hybholt, Lisbeth (2024) The gift of peer understanding and suicide bereavement support groups: a qualitative study. Death Studies, Early online, pp. 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2024.2378354.
External website: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07481...
There is a growing recognition and need for more studies on groups practices and processes to develop greater insight into the helpful elements that may be distinctive to bereavement peer support groups for traumatic loss such as, suicide. Using a qualitative descriptive design, focus groups and individual interviews were conducted online and face-to-face with a purposive sample of 27 participants in Ireland and in Denmark, who were bereaved by suicided and were attending peer bereavement support groups. Data were analyzed through Thematic Analysis. The findings suggest that the group provided a safe place where people felt and nurtured a deep emotional connection, a place where people trusted themselves and others to speak the unspoken and to tell and re-tell their story without fear of consequence as well as a place where they learnt to process their loss. Findings are discussed and recommendations based on the findings are proposed.
L Social psychology and related concepts > Interpersonal interaction and group dynamics > Social support > Peer support or coaching
T Demographic characteristics > Affected family members / concerned persons
VA Geographic area > Europe > Denmark
VA Geographic area > Europe > Ireland
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