Suicide Bereavement in the Highlands and the Role of Spirituality/Religion in the Bereavement Process

Resumo

Suicide is a troubling public health concern worldwide and those experiencing suicide bereavement can experience emotional and psychological distress that can negatively impact the grieving process and their well-being. Suicide bereavement research is scarce within the Highlands of Scotland, and it is important to research the grieving processes for this unique group of individuals due to the rising number of completed suicide within this area. The aim of the research was to explore the existential struggles people bereaved by suicide face, the coping mechanisms they use and whether aspects of religion and/or spirituality provide psychological support to those with no religious affiliations within this area. Three theoretical frameworks were applied in order to analyse how participants process their grief following a suicide loss: Terror Management Theory, Meaning Management Theory, and Meaning Making Model. Semi structured interviews were conducted with ten adults attending a suicide bereavement group in the Highlands and data was analysed using thematic analysis. The results underscored the profound existential challenges faced by all participants, encompassing emotional turmoil, feelings of guilt, and anger, alongside broader effects on that disrupted their everyday functioning. The coping strategies employed included religious and spiritual convictions regarding an afterlife, as well as ethereal signs such as feathers or robins, which enabled individuals to maintain a sense of connection with the deceased long after their passing that provided comfort during a traumatic period. This was also found to be a form of psychological support for those with no previous beliefs systems in a religious and/or spiritual capacity prior to their bereavement journey. However, for some participants’ their religious and/or spirituality beliefs led to a complete abandonment of their spiritual or religious practices and beliefs, as they felt a sense of betrayal towards God or the universe due to the circumstances of their loved one’s death. For others, their experience of suicide bereavement resulted in a complete abandonment of previously held core religious and/or spiritual beliefs. This study highlights the profound influence that spiritual and religious beliefs have on individuals dealing with the loss of a loved one to suicide, demonstrating how aspects of these beliefs can provide psychological assistance, even in instances where such belief systems were not present prior to the bereavement. Furthermore, this study emphasises the importance of support systems specifically centred on suicide bereavement within the area of the Highlands of Scotland. Such systems are crucial as they provide individuals with a safe and supportive environment to openly discuss the profound and often traumatic experience surrounding suicide loss with others who are navigating similar journeys, fostering a sense of community, and understanding while navigating their grief and loss.

Data do prémio	2 jul. 2026
Idioma original	English
Instituição de premiação	University of the Highlands and Islands
Supervisor	Maxinne Connolly-Panagopoulos (Supervisor) & Marc Archer (Supervisor)