An interpretative phenomenological analysis of post traumatic growth in adults bereaved by suicide

This thesis explored the experiences of post-traumatic growth in adults bereaved by suicide. Past literature into posttraumatic growth, posttraumatic growth in bereavement and bereavement by suicide is examined to rationalise the current research. There is critique of the methodologies used in the past literature. The epistemological stance of the current research and justification of the qualitative approach to the current study is examined. Six participants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. Transcribed interviews were analysed from an interpretative phenomenological framework. Two superordinate themes, with three ordinate themes in each, were identified: (1) Positive growth: ‘life view’, ‘knowledge of self’, and ‘relation to others’; (2) Social perception: ‘gaze of others’, ‘public guise’, and ‘solace of other survivors’. These are presented and discussed within the journal article. Three additional ordinate themes were identified: (3) Process of time, (4) Bereavement stages and, (5) New normal, which are presented in further detail and discussed in the extended paper. The results yielded that suicide survivors gain extra characteristics and insights due to their experiences, but are reluctant to acknowledge that they do. These results are discussed with reference to previous literature, and the epistemological stance of the research. A critique of the current research is provided before recommendations for research are outlined. The thesis concludes with the researcher’s critical reflection on some of the theoretical, scientific and ethical considerations made during the process of the research