Social Support Somewhat Mitigates Grieving Problems of Recent Suicide Loss Survivors

Abstract

Although past research shows social support mitigating grieving difficulties among longer-term suicide bereaved, it remains unproven whether this is true among newly bereaved suicide loss survivors. We investigated this question in an online survey of 1,132 recently bereaved adults reporting on their grief difficulties, PTSD symptoms, and depression. Results suggested social support slightly mitigated grief difficulties and PTSD. For people with high depression symptoms, social support showed a strong negative association for both first-degree relatives and all bereaved others. This evidence suggests that newly bereaved loss survivors are likely to temporarily isolate themselves from social relations after a loss, partly to protect themselves from stigmatization and also to establish new social footholds seeking meaning and promoting their own self-care. More research needs to focus on the transitions suicide loss survivors make from greater to lesser self-imposed isolation as they move from early grief into later stage adaptations.