A Qualitative Examination of Continuing Bonds through Spiritual Experiences in Individuals Bereaved by Suicide

Danielle Jahn,Sally Spencer-Thomas

doi:10.3390/rel9080248

Abstract

Introduction: Suicide is a public health problem worldwide, and spiritual experiences may be important positive experiences or coping mechanisms for difficulties associated with surviving a suicide loss. Studies have found that continuing bonds through spiritual experiences are common among individuals bereaved by suicide. However, the literature lacks depth in understanding these experiences, such as sense of presence. Aims: The aim of this study was to qualitatively examine descriptions of continuing bonds through spiritual experiences after death by suicide. Method: A total of 1301 individuals bereaved by suicide provided 2443 free responses about their spiritual experiences based on four different prompts, which were analyzed using an inductive approach. Results: Nine common themes were identified, selected for interest, and reported: (1) a helpful sense of comfort; (2) a helpful sense of connection with the deceased; (3) intense sadness evoked by the spiritual experiences; (4) confusion regarding the spiritual experiences; (5) negative reminders of the deceased or negative meanings of spiritual experiences; (6) evidence of an afterlife; (7) general importance of the spiritual experiences’ meaning; (8) impact of and on religious beliefs; and (9) others’ responses to disclosure of suicide or spiritual experiences. Conclusion: For the overwhelming majority of participants, spiritual experiences such as a sense of presence have deep meaning and are often regarded as a positive source of healing and transformation after a suicide death.

Highlights

Suicide is a public health problem worldwide, and spiritual experiences may be important positive experiences or coping mechanisms for difficulties associated with surviving a suicide loss
Evil happens because man has free will, and God has given man free will because we are given the choice to love Him.”), descriptions of others’ spiritual experiences (e.g., “I do not feel that they helped my 4 [year] old to understand the permanence of his father’s death”), or other information about the participant’s functioning (e.g., “A couple of profound coincidences led me to volunteering with [the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention] and community walks where I’ve met many people whom I can relate with.”, “I ended up writing a report on suicide.”)
Nine themes were identified in relation to the experiences of individuals bereaved by suicide: (1) a helpful sense of comfort; (2) a helpful sense of connection with the deceased; (3) intense sadness evoked by the spiritual experiences; (4) confusion regarding the spiritual experiences; (5) negative reminders of the deceased or negative meanings of spiritual experiences; (6) evidence of an afterlife; (7) general importance of the spiritual experiences’ meaning; (8) impact of and on religious beliefs; and (9) others’ responses to disclosure of suicide or spiritual experiences

Summary

Introduction

Suicide is a public health problem worldwide, and spiritual experiences may be important positive experiences or coping mechanisms for difficulties associated with surviving a suicide loss. Estimates posited that there are at least six survivors of suicide loss for every death by suicide (Shneidman 1973), though recent research suggests that each death by suicide exposes approximately 147 people to suicide (Cerel 2015). This body of research on suicide bereavement indicates that many individuals are bereaved by suicide, and studies suggest that these individuals may have worse outcomes than individuals bereaved by other forms of death (Currier et al 2015b). In two separate reviews, Young et al (2012)

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion