The experiences of New Zealanders bereaved by suicide : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University

Abstract

Bereavement by suicide is a relatively untapped facet of suicidology in New Zealand. The current study used a qualitative approach to investigate the experiences of New Zealanders bereaved by suicide. It was intended that such an approach would provide rich and detailed information. Audiotaped interviews were conducted with eight New Zealand suicide survivors. Grounded theory was used to analyse the transcribed data and to construct a theory of the experiences of New Zealanders bereaved by suicide. Grief responses which parallel those documented in suicide bereavement literature were identified and a host of Intensifying and Alleviating Factors were involved in compounding or lessening participants' grief. These findings are discussed in terms of the aims of the study. Limitations of the study are acknowledged and suggestions for further research are presented.