Losing a sibling to suicide is a traumatic event. Sibling suicide survivors’ experiences are understudied and may be missed by health care providers. The purpose of this qualitative study with an interpretive phenomenological approach was to explore the lived experiences of individuals who have lost an adult sibling to suicide. The findings of individual in-depth interviews with 12 participants revealed that sibling bereavement is an evolving process, losing intensity with time, and resulting in a significant effect on the sibling survivors’ lifestyles and perceptions of life. Additionally, receiving professional support after the suicide was advantageous to survivors. The results further underscored that the suicide of a sibling can affect the sibling survivors’ relationships with themselves, family members, and others. This article formulates a comprehensive outlook for counselors to understand sibling suicide survivors’ unique grieving processes, identifies their special needs, and addresses the implications for mental health professionals.
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April 2022
Research Article|
March 28 2022
Lived Experiences of Individuals Bereaved by the Suicide Death of a Sibling
Susan Abossein;
1 Department of Interprofessional Health and Aging Studies, University of Indianapolis
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Susan Abossein, 1928 Arbor Walk Court, Dayton, OH 45459. Email:susanabossein@gmail.com
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Laura Santurri;
Laura Santurri
1 Department of Interprofessional Health and Aging Studies, University of Indianapolis
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Lisa Borrero;
Lisa Borrero
1 Department of Interprofessional Health and Aging Studies, University of Indianapolis
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Lynn Shaw
Lynn Shaw
2 Department of Social Work, University of Indianapolis
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Journal of Mental Health Counseling (2022) 44 (2): 133–152.
Citation
Susan Abossein, Laura Santurri, Lisa Borrero, Lynn Shaw; Lived Experiences of Individuals Bereaved by the Suicide Death of a Sibling. Journal of Mental Health Counseling 1 April 2022; 44 (2): 133–152. doi: https://doi.org/10.17744/mehc.44.2.03
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