The stigma perceived by people bereaved by suicide and other sudden deaths: A cross-sectional UK study of 3432 bereaved adults

Abstract

Objective

To test the hypothesis that perceived stigma scores in young adults bereaved by suicide are significantly higher than in young adults bereaved by other sudden deaths, whether blood-related to the deceased or not.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study of all staff and students aged 18–40 at 37 UK higher educational institutions in 2010, and identified 3432 respondents who had experienced a sudden bereavement of a close contact since reaching the age of 10, either due to sudden natural causes, sudden unnatural causes, or suicide. We used multivariable regression to compare scores on the stigma, shame, responsibility and guilt subscales of the Grief Experience Questionnaire, adjusting for socio-demographic factors and pre-bereavement psychopathology.

Results

People bereaved by suicide (n = 614) had higher stigma scores than people bereaved by sudden natural death (n = 2106; adjusted coefficient = 2.52; 95% CI = 2.13–2.90; p = < 0.001) and people bereaved by sudden unnatural death (n = 712; adjusted coefficient = 1.69; 95% CI = 1.25–2.13; p = < 0.001). Shame, responsibility and guilt scores were also significantly higher in people bereaved by suicide, whether compared with bereavement by sudden natural death or sudden unnatural death. Associations were not modified by whether the bereaved was blood-related to the deceased or not.

Conclusions

Stigma was perceived more acutely by the relatives and friends of those who died by suicide than those bereaved by other causes of sudden natural or sudden unnatural death. Their high levels of perceived stigma, shame, responsibility and guilt require qualitative investigation to identify whether these grief dimensions limit social functioning, help-seeking behaviour and/or support offered.

Highlights

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  No studies have confirmed if suicide confers more stigma than other sudden losses.

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  We compared people bereaved by suicide, sudden natural causes, and sudden unnatural causes.

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  We found suicide bereavement to be most stigmatising of sudden bereavements.

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  Suicide bereavement was also associated with shame, guilt, and responsibility.

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  Associations applied to both relatives and non-relatives.