Growing together: interpersonal predictors of posttraumatic growth trajectory among suicide-loss survivors

ABSTRACT

Background

Recent studies have indicated that grieving after suicide loss can be particularly complex and traumatic. However, studies have recognized the opportunity for personal growth among suicide-loss survivors. This study signifies an effort to develop a comprehensive understanding of the underlying interpersonal facilitators of posttraumatic growth (PTG) among suicide-loss survivors in a longitudinal design.

Method

Participants included 189 suicide-loss survivors (155 females), aged 21–73, who completed questionnaires of thwarted belongingness (TB), perceived burdensomeness (PB), and self-disclosure at T1. Moreover, participants were assessed on PTG levels at T1, 18 months (T2), and 42 months (T3).

Results

The integrated mediation model indicated that both TB and PB contributed to the PTG trajectory. PB and self-disclosure contributed to PTG at T3 beyond the PTG trajectory across time. We also found self-disclosure to mediate the association of TB and PTG at T2 and T3.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that interpersonal factors play critical roles in contributing to PTG over time among suicide-loss survivors. Basic psychoeducational interventions designed to foster interpersonal behaviors may facilitate achieving PTG among survivors in the aftermath of suicide loss.

KEYWORDS:

• Suicide-loss survivors
• posttraumatic growth
• belongingness
• burdensomeness
• self-disclosure
• longitudinal

Acknowledgements

This study is dedicated to my dearest friend, Dafni Assaf, who was one of the great leaders of Israel’s suicide-prevention program.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), under Grant [PRG-2-083-14].