Projects / Programmes
Mindful Bereavement - interventions for suicide survivors
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 5.09.00 |
Social sciences |
Psychology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| S260 |
Social sciences |
Psychology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 5.01 |
Social Sciences |
Psychology and cognitive sciences |
bereavement, suicide, interventions, mindfulnes
Researchers (1)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
28757 |
PhD Vita Poštuvan |
Psychology |
Head |
2016 - 2017 |
529 |
Organisations (1)
Abstract
Recent WHO study estimates around 800.000 deaths due to suicide yearly. Suicide survivors (also survivors of suicide) are defined as people who were significantly connected with the person who died due to suicide (Stengel, 1973 in Tekavčič Grad, 1999). Their lives are changed because of suicide (Andriessen, 2009) or suicide of someone from their social network had a significant negative impact on them (Grad, 2011). The estimate of six suicide survivors is the most common, so some use as a fact (Grad, 2011). Campbell (1997) believes that the number of six people is underestimated, since it is based on legal assumptions about how many people are mourning for the deceased, moreover, it does not include the extended definition of suicide survivors (Grad, 2011).
Most suicide survivors can cope with the situation on their own and prevent long-term negative consequences of suicide of a loved one, but not all (Dunne & Dunne-Maxim, 2009). Postvention activities should be well evaluated and a part of the public-health interventions, but unfortunately in many places this is not yet the case. However, mental health promotion programmes have a direct impact on behavioral, cognitive and other characteristics of the individual and therefore also postvention should follow this. There are more than 3000 people yearly affected by suicide, but we do not have systematic interventions for them.
Although the principles of mindfulness are on the rise in the context of psychological and psychotherapeutic approaches in the recent years (Kabat-Zinn, 1994; Williams, Teasdale, Segal, Kabat-Zinn, 2007), only a few programs has systematically addressed introduction of mindfulness into bereavement programs (e.g., ATTEND, Cacciatore in Flint, 2012). Wherein, only a few specific programs are concerning bereavement after suicide.
The objectives of the current study are to:
· Review the existing postvention practices in Slovenia and worldwide.
· Develop a new intervention approach for the suicide survivors based on the principles of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.
· Implement a pilot study of the intervention.
· Evaluate the intervention on the basis of qualitative and quantitative research approaches.
· Develop the guidelines for future postvention activities in Slovenia and the options of their implementation.
The study is based on the evaluation of the pilot intervention on mindfulness-based grief-support (or MBGS). It is based on the findings of an 8-week program in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). In this context, we developed a set of intervention within the intervention in-depth discussions about the experience of the participants. Themes will touched upon key areas that participants experien around the death, and will be based on the Growing flower model (Poštuvan, 2014), which gives an overall understanding of the process of reintegration after the suicide. We will also address evaluation of intervention (including quantitative methods).
The proposed study links the knowledge of psychotherapeutic profession – especially based on mindfulness – with psychology, suicidology and postvention interventions. In this manner, it represents an original way of solving the current problems. Furthermore, it enables the introduction of compelling interventions, which may prove timely and economically justifiable. Adequate support in bereavement can contribute to the reduction of distress, less absenteeism, and to improved prevention of suicidal behaviour in the whole society as it strengthens the health of bereaved and changes the attitudes toward suicide.
Significance for science
The significance of research results is that the program has been developed specifically for the bereaved and it includes elements of mindfulness. This is a novelty that represents an innovative way of providing care for the bereaved.
Significance for the country
Given the high number of suicides in our country and the new estimations that only 6 people suffer from such deaths, as it has been conservatively valid until now, but on average about 130 people, it's crucial to start developing interventions for the bereaved people. These are not really existing in the country so far in a widespread manner. This will in the long run also destigmatize these tabooized and difficult topics and will help to raise the mental health of population.
Most important scientific results
Interim report,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Interim report,
final report
