PTSD Symptoms in Survivors Bereaved by the Suicide of a Significant Other

Abstract

Although bereavement is not usually considered the type of stressor associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a risk factor often associated with poorer bereavement outcomes is when a death is sudden and unexpected. The purpose of this exploratory study is to describe PTSD symptoms in survivors bereaved by the suicide of a significant other. The relationship of PTSD to mental health and grief were explored, as well as gender differences in PTSD symptoms. To measure PTSD symptoms, the 15-item Impact of Event Scale (IES) was used. The IES intrusion and avoidance subscales were significantly correlated with the mental health subscale of the MOS SF-36 (Medical Outcomes Study-Short Form 36), indicating that lower mental health scores were associated with higher PTSD symptoms. Those survivors scoring higher than 25 on the Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG) had significantly higher scores on both the intrusion and avoidance subscales of the IES compared with those scoring lower than 25 on the ICG. Females reported significantly higher intrusion symptoms and total stress than males. Our results suggest that a death by suicide may lead to the development of PTSD symptoms, at least in some individuals, and is associated with lower mental health quality of life and complicated grief responses.