Perceptions of Social Support by Suicide Survivors and their Social Networks

Abstract

Current research tentatively suggests that families bereaved by suicide may receive and experience low levels of support. It is not clear, given the available data, whether there is a difference in the support given or in the support received, because no studies have systematically compared survivors with their social networks. Two groups participated in this investigation: survivors of a suicide in the family and members of their support systems. Each group completed objective scales of the social support that was offered or received by the members of the family as well as a scale of recovery from grief, and all participants were interviewed. Statistical analyses of the quantitative data indicated no differences between the groups, with the exception of a marginal trend suggesting survivors were rated less recovered by themselves than by members of their support systems. However, analysis of the qualitative data indicated that survivors believed that only other suicide survivors could fully understand them, and that they experienced implicit pressure from others to “recover” from their loss.