Philip O'Keeffe (MSc, University of Ulster, 2001)
This dissertation explored identity development in those bereaved by suicide of a loved one. They are known as survivors of this potentially catastrophic loss. It was believed that a suicidal loss experience was both traumatic and identity determining. Survivors were believed to be more likely to take their own lives than the general population. The impact of suicidal loss on survivors' sense of identity was examined using Content Analysis and Identity Structure Analysis (ISA). Issues investigated included survivors' wellbeing, the meaning they attached to their loss and how it came about, and personal and family aftercare. It was found that some survivors were indeed at greater risk but that effective counselling could have positive restorative benefits. It was also demonstrated that survivors who successfully integrated their loss, represented a potentially valuable resource in therapeutic postvention programmes.
This dissertation explored identity development in those bereaved by suicide of a loved one. They are known as survivors of this potentially catastrophic loss. It was believed that a suicidal loss experience was both traumatic and identity determining. Survivors were believed to be more likely to take their own lives than the general population. The impact of suicidal loss on survivors' sense of identity was examined using Content Analysis and Identity Structure Analysis (ISA). Issues investigated included survivors' wellbeing, the meaning they attached to their loss and how it came about, and personal and family aftercare. It was found that some survivors were indeed at greater risk but that effective counselling could have positive restorative benefits. It was also demonstrated that survivors who successfully integrated their loss, represented a potentially valuable resource in therapeutic postvention programmes.
MSc Dissertation
PDF File
Download
*This large PDF cannot be previewed in a browser.
**This PDF file has been scanned and does not contain malicious code or viruses.
**This PDF file has been scanned and does not contain malicious code or viruses.