A Theory of Healing in the Aftermath of Youth Suicide

Abstract

The purpose of this family-focused, grounded-theory study was to develop a substantive theory that explains how individual family members heal in the aftermath of youth suicide. Individual healing following youth suicide is conceptualized as a process of “journeying toward wholeness.” In response to youth suicide, survivors characteristically tap into their innate strengths and coping capabilities. Eventually, most survivors move toward healing. Precipitated by youth suicide, individual healing was found to be a contextually mediated, ongoing, dynamic, and recursive process. Most often initiated by a family survivor who was emotionally and spiritually close to the youth prior to suicide, healing emanated from the survivor’s consciousness as an act of volition. This study brings to light the idea that bereaved family survivors of youth suicide have the potential to heal in response to the decisions they make and the healthy bonds they create and maintain between themselves and the deceased youth.