| Summary: | 碩士 === 國防醫學院 === 護理研究所 === 96 === Suicide is one of the most important public health issues in the world.
On average, each suicide has an impact on six to ten persons. Most suicide studies focus on the suicide survivors' grief reaction and recovery process, but not on the family relationship. Thus, the goal of this ethnographic study was to discover how their family relationships changed after they became suicide survivors. Thirteen suicide survivors were recruited during 7 months and the QSR Nvivo 7.0 software was used for the analysis of interviewing transcripts.
Participants of this research always did not understand why their loved one committed suicide. And they attributed mistakes to each other and worried about the stigma effect. Therefore, the suicide of their loved one became a family taboo. They did not know how to comfort or help another one, and family therefore drifted apart, that was the main phenomenon the suicide survivors in this research have experienced.
This research discovered: (1)first, when suicide survivors learned of the suicide of their loved one, they were extremely shocked and confused. They did not understand why their loved one committed suicide, and tried all possible ways to search for the answer, like cian-wáng, cast the divining blocks, (2)next, suicide survivors attributed mistakes to each other for the loss of their loved one while searching for the answer, (3) then, in addition to the stigma they had to face, suicide survivors thought that talking about the suicide would cause great grief in the family, and therefore the suicide of their loved one became a family taboo, (4) finally, because the suicide survivors usually did not know how to comfort or communicate to one another, the family drifted apart.
The discussion of this research presented: (1) without any available suicide note, the suicide survivors would be shocked by the suicide of their loved one and tried to understand why this happened. They then attributed mistakes to each other, (2) with suicide note, the suicide survivors could understand and respect the decision of their loved one. Suicide survivors would gain perspective on the situation and show consideration for one another. They showed more responsibility towards the family, and family therefore got closer, (3) stigma was a unique experience for suicide survivors. Family members had to pretend in public that their loved one died of natural causes, and the suicide became a taboo in the family.
The suicide of their loved one is so traumatic and unforgettable that suicide survivors need a long time to heal themselves. By talking about the loss openly and caring for one another, family members can shorten the time of healing and maintain a positive family function. Moreover, with the help by non-judgmental and genuine health professionals, suicide survivors will gain different perspective on their situation and the stigma of suicide will decreased.
The findings of this research will benefit suicide survivors, the health professionals, and the public with better understand the aftermath of the loss and the impact of the suicide on family relationship. People shall provide suicide survivors support and acceptance, and assist them in the grieving and healing process.
Key words : family relationship, attribution, stigma, suicide note
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