Health Sciences

The Impact of Parental Suicide

Researchers:Dorothy Ratnarajah and Professor Margot Schofield

Research Partners: University of New England

Summary

The impact of parental suicide on surviving children and their family system has received inadequate research attention. A review was undertaken to critically examine the small body of available quantitative and qualitative research on the impact of parental suicide and examine factors associated with the children's adjustment. The review suggested that children's needs following parental suicide are not well understood nor are support services readily available or accessed. Gaps in the research have been identified and a number of recommendations made for assisting families, especially bereaved children, following a parental suicide.

A study was then undertaken using a qualitative narrative methodology with thematic analysis to explore the short-term and lifelong impact of parental suicide among 10 adults who, as children or adolescents, had lost a parent through suicide. The results indicated that parental suicide triggered a wide range of structural and relational changes to the family, resulting in a cascading series of negative outcomes. These systemic issues are discussed and recommendations made about support structures for bereaved children and their families. Limitations of the study are discussed and future research directions identified.

Status of the project: Completed

Research Outputs to date:

Conference Presentations

Ratnarajah, D., & Schofield, M.J. (2005). The construction of meaning following parental suicide. Paper presented at the Third National Conference of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia: But Does it Work? Exploring Effectiveness in Counselling and Psychotherapy. Melbourne, 19-20 August.

Ratnarajah, D., & Schofield, M.J. (2006). Grief of children following parent suicide. Paper presented at Suicide Prevention Australia National Conference 2006: Connecting Pathways: Big Country, Big Picture. November.

Publications

Ratnarajah, D., & Schofield, M.J. (2007). Parental suicide and its aftermath: A review. Journal of Family Studies, 13, 78-93.

Unpublished Reports

Ratnarajah, D. (2006). The construction of meaning following parental suicide. Master of Counselling (Hons) thesis. Submitted to the University of New England, Armidale.

 

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