Profiling Suicide Exposure Risk Factors for Psychological Distress: An Empirical Test of the Proposed Continuum of Survivorship Model.

Navjot Bhullar,Myfanwy Maple,Rebecca L Sanford

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.692363

Navjot Bhullar, Myfanwy Maple + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.692363

Copy DOI

Abstract

The Continuum of Survivorship proposes a way in which individuals may experience the suicide death of someone known to them along a continuum from being exposed to the death through to long-term bereavement. The present study provides a first empirical testing of the proposed model in an Australian community sample exposed to suicide. Using a Latent Profile Analysis, we tested the suicide exposure risk factors (time since death, frequency of pre-death contact, reported closeness, and perceived impact) to map to the Continuum of Survivorship model. Results revealed identification of five profiles, with four ranging from suicide exposed to suicide bereaved long-term broadly aligning with the proposed model, with one further profile being identified that represented a discordant profile of low closeness and high impact of suicide exposure. Our findings demonstrate that while the proposed model is useful to better understand the psychological distress related to exposure to suicide, it cannot be used as “shorthand” for identifying those who will be most distressed, nor those who may most likely need additional support following a suicide death. Implications and future research directions are discussed.

Highlights

With over 3,300 suicide deaths occurring in Australia in 2019 [1] and nearly one million suicide deaths worldwide, suicide is generally recognized as a major public health issue [2]
More time passed since death was significantly associated with high frequency of contact, and less perceived impact for the most impactful death exposure and psychological distress
High frequency of contact with the person was significantly associated with reported closeness, perceived impact, and psychological distress

Summary

Introduction

With over 3,300 suicide deaths occurring in Australia in 2019 [1] and nearly one million suicide deaths worldwide, suicide is generally recognized as a major public health issue [2]. Accurate data examining exposure to suicide among the general population has been lacking [4]. Emerging research indicates the prevalence of suicide exposure is far greater than the estimate of six previously offered [5], with up to 135 people affected by each death [6]. A recent meta-analysis based on population-based research indicated that past-year exposure to suicide was 4.31% and life-time prevalence of exposure to suicide was 21.83% [7]. Findings from the 2016 General Social Survey in the United States found that 51% of the respondents in this representative sample reported knowing at least one person who died by suicide in their lifetime [8], with ∼35% of all respondents were identified as “bereaved,” defined as the respondent indicating that the death was to some extent or very distressing

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion