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    The whānau experience of suicide loss : what contributes to resilience and wellbeing? : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology at Massey University, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa, Albany, Aotearoa New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2021) McAllister, Amber
    The aim of this research was to explore and understand Māori whānau experiences of suicide loss and factors that increase resilience and wellbeing within this context. Māori have the highest suicide rates in New Zealand, yet there is limited literature that focuses exclusively on Māori whānau bereaved to suicide. Furthermore, there is limited literature that views Māori suicide bereavement through a family/whānau resilience lens. The present study took a Kaupapa Māori approach that validated Māori knowledge and tikanga and was cognisant of social structures and power imbalances that surround whānau. Six whānau bereaved by suicide were interviewed, as well as five Māori key informants who have extensive experience working with whānau in their various roles within community mental health, mental health services, and suicide prevention. Findings pointed to the ripple effect that a suicide has on a whānau and its members over the long term and intergenerationally. This is hindered by the stigma that is still evident in the dominant society and within Māori culture that creates a barrier to resilience and wellbeing. Resilience was enacted within whānau units, through wairuatanga, and connection to Te Ao Māori and mātauranga Māori. The current formal support available did not adequately support whānau resilience and wellbeing. The findings have implications at a societal level and for therapists or services engaged in supporting suicide bereaved whānau.
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    The having-been-ness and the being-in-the-world of twin survivors : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Nursing at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1996) Glen, Jenny
    This study uses Heideggerian interpretive phenomenology to examine the experience of being a twin, then being a twin survivor in the world. Heidegger's terminology is selectively used to shape the interpretation of the twins' narratives. The phenomenological method focuses on participant descriptions of their everyday life; there are no conclusions and no scientific results. While there have been many scientific studies using twins as subjects, there seems to be very few published studies using twin narrative. Every participant wished to be part of this study because they felt that it might help others in similar situations. They described their life as a twin, their reaction to the death of their co-twin, and the intense loneliness that they have felt ever since. In describing their experiences, they have managed to portray a picture of twinship seldom made so explicit. The intense reliance on each other that results from living together closely since conception, has a particular impact on their being-in-the-world. Many of those interviewed felt that half of them had gone forever after the death of their twin, and struggled to develop their own sense of identity as a lone twin. As survivors, the participants now view the world differently, and although others may see them as a singleton, they will always remain a twin.
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    Constructing grief : an analysis of young people's talk following the unexpected death of a peer : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2002) Munro, Catherine A
    This research explores how young people talk about grief following the sudden and unexpected death of one of their peers. The study investigates the construction of grief by analysing the everyday language young people use when talking about grief. Ten bereaved young people were interviewed and their interviews transcribed to produce texts of grief talk. These texts were then analysed using the Potter & Wetherell (1992) approach to discourse analysis. The study identifies the discourse of control as an important part of the construction of grief in young people. The just world discourse that participants draw upon to construct their experience of grief as life changing and profound is also identified. Grief is constructed through talk as an external behavioural response as opposed to an internal emotion. Analysis of the talk also reveals that the participants construct grief as a collective undertaking. The embodiment of grief is identified as a way in which the participants combat the loss of ontological security caused by the death of their peer. The dominant youth culture discourse of un-emotionality is drawn upon frequently in the participants' constructions of grief. These findings offers a valuable new insight into the way in which young people construct grief differently to older adults following the sudden and unexpected death of a peer, and indicates the significance of the social and cultural context in which the study of grief occurs.
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    A qualitative study of the coping strategies and needs of adults bereaved by suicide : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University,
    (Massey University, 2006) Kelly, Linda Grace
    The aftermath of suicide can have devastating effects on family and friends. Research has shown that the complexities of suicide bereavement can lead to physical and mental health problems, increased risk of suicide, pathological grief, and non-specific stress disorders. How the bereaved cope with the loss of a loved one by suicidc was the focus of this study. It explored factors that were helpful or unhelpful, as well as the specific needs of this group. Fifteen volunteers over the age of 18, bereaved for more than two, and less than five years, told their stories in 45-60 minute semi-structured interviews. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, results revealed a variety of coping strategies, and highlighted a number of factors that helped or hindered the individual's ability to cope. Results also highlighted a need for training for personnel dealing with the bereaved, suggested improvements in procedures following a suicidal death, and indicated a need for professional help and support immediately following the death. The findings of this study could be beneficial to policymakers at many levels, and to medical and associated professionals. Understanding the factors that can help or hinder the bereaved's ability to cope will help in the assessment of risk, and consequently be useful in the development of early intervention strategies to minimize the risk of physical and psychological problems that can result from such a traumatic event.
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    Grief and social support : who do bereaved individuals utilise for support? : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Sciences in Psychology at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1993) Durbin, Michelle Edith
    The present study aimed to investigate, using three theoretical perspectives of sociobiology, attachment and affiliation, who individuals go to for social support after the death of a close friend or relative. Based on the sociobiological literature it can be postulated that bereaved individuals will go to family for support. Attachment theory proposes that they will go to friends whereas affiliation theory suggests that people who have experienced a similar bereavement would be used for support. Based on the grief and social support research it was expected that bereaved individuals would go to a combination of supports and that female support givers would be used more than male supporters. It was also anticipated that bereaved females would use more supports than bereaved males. An added consideration was that bereaved individuals would use their partners for support. Thirty female and thirty male community based volunteers aged 20-70 were asked to complete a questionnaire at a time and place deemed appropriate for them. The questionnaire comprised items regarding demographics, and support from family, friends and people who have experienced a similar bereavement. The results revealed that bereaved individuals used a combination of support types but used more friend support after their bereavement than family or experienced person support. More female than male supports were used by both bereaved females and males. Bereaved females used significantly more supports than bereaved males. The majority of participants who had partners used them for their support. It was concluded that bereaved individuals used more informal social supports, such as friends and family, than formal supports. Friends, including partners, were most often used. Significant gender differences were found in who the bereaved people approached for support.
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    The impact of post death communication [PDC] on bereavement : thesis completed to fulfill the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts, Massey University, May 2014
    (Massey University, 2014) McCormick, Brigid
    Post Death Communication (i.e. perceived communication from someone who has died), has been part of the human experience since the earliest recorded history, and it is now known to be highly beneficial to almost all bereaved individuals who experience it. Despite the fact that PDC appears to be common to all cultures and is usually very welcome and very healing, it has been judged by Western society in a negative way and as a result, fear of negative judgment has meant that experients are hesitant to discuss it. Using Thematic Analysis, this study conducted a small qualitative investigation into the experience of PDC among New Zealand and North American populations. In a semi-structured interview, conducted face to face where possible, and by Skype where necessary, 14 participants aged between 52 and 80 years were asked about the nature of their PDC experience, how they felt about it, and how it impacted their bereavement. Results showed conclusively that PDC is welcome and beneficial, and that experients are wary of discussing it for fear of being judged negatively. Thematic analysis revealed a meta-theme of Affirmation – participants were unanimous in believing PDC to be beneficial. Within this meta-theme were the three themes of Comfort - PDC brings comfort to the bereaved; Continuity – PDC brings a sense of personal and relational continuation, and Growth - PDC brings a sense of personal growth and a change in values. A fourth theme arising from the analysis was Negativity. Participants expressed fear of being judged in a pejorative way for having experienced PDC. Since 2000 it has been possible to induce PDC in a clinical setting, thereby elevating what had been a serendipitous, random occurrence into a powerful therapeutic tool. The protocol of Induced PDC is practiced on five continents, yet few people in the healing professions are aware of it. In New Zealand, Induced PDC appears to be unknown. This means that grieving Kiwis are going without the therapeutic benefits of PDC. The findings of this thesis indicate spontaneous PDC as experienced by the sample is overwhelmingly beneficial, and they support the use of Induced PDC in therapeutic settings. The findings have implications for raising awareness about and the use of Induced PDC by New Zealand clinicians.
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    The experiences of New Zealanders bereaved by suicide : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1998) Berrett, Maria Joanne
    Bereavement by suicide is a relatively untapped facet of suicidology in New Zealand. The current study used a qualitative approach to investigate the experiences of New Zealanders bereaved by suicide. It was intended that such an approach would provide rich and detailed information. Audiotaped interviews were conducted with eight New Zealand suicide survivors. Grounded theory was used to analyse the transcribed data and to construct a theory of the experiences of New Zealanders bereaved by suicide. Grief responses which parallel those documented in suicide bereavement literature were identified and a host of Intensifying and Alleviating Factors were involved in compounding or lessening participants' grief. These findings are discussed in terms of the aims of the study. Limitations of the study are acknowledged and suggestions for further research are presented.
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    The social construction of grief associated with sudden death : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1998) Mist, Kevin E
    This research explores how grief is socially constructed, by analysis of the everyday language people use when talking about grief associated with the sudden or unexpected death of a family member. The study deconstructs grief talk in transcripts of interviews with ten participants recently bereaved. The texts were read and discourses producing grief and subjectivity are illustrated. With grief being constituted through language, this was analysed by use of Potter and Wetherell (1992) model of discourse analysis. The study tends to support the notion that there are idiosyncratic aspects to grief which are constructed and constituted in multiple discourses. Grief, is constructed as inner complex emotions that are influenced by social and cultural factors which bring understanding and meaning to the loss. Grief is something that people 'do' rather than something that is 'done' to them, and therefore, is personal management as people deal and cope with a mixture of other emotions and thoughts which are embodied within the individual. These emotions and thoughts to some extent are able to be controlled. Grief, although an inner complex emotional response to death, is dealt with and managed in social relatedness. However, there are aspects of grief that could not be constructed linguistically, suggesting that grief is not entirely socially or culturally constituted. Thus, there may be aspects to grief which are never resolved, as there are no words to give meaning to that experience. Grief, has many determinants which affect the outcome of bereavement.
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    No time to say goodbye : the personal journeys of whānau bereaved by suicide : the experiences of four parents bereaved by suicide : a dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work
    (Massey University, 2013) Aupouri-Mclean, Caroll
    Nominal literature exists concerning the experiences of Māori whānau bereaved by suicide. Māori are vastly denoted in the suicide mortality statistics. The sudden and unexpected loss of a whānau member to suicide is an overwhelming occurrence for peoples of various different ethnic and cultural milieus. Informed by means of a Māori paradigm; Māori research procedures are merged alongside each other to become the keystones to this study. A Case Study approach to research was applied in conjunction with Māori methodologies and which also provided the researcher with the course to circumnavigate the research procedure. These four whānau who contributed to this research are the manawa or core of this study and in the course of sharing their stories, they proffer knowledge and describe experiences of their bereavement as a consequence of the suicide of their young adult child. Different sources of evidence were gathered together and included participant interviews, researcher observations, and literature that documented the experiences of whānau bereaved by suicide. The four Māori whānau identified several iwi (tribal) connections and came from a variety of small rural communities, took part in the interviews. These participants experienced losing their young adult child to suicide within the last 9 years. The interviews were all audio taped, each transcribed and analysed thematically. This research found, that whānau bereaved by suicide undergo various emotional responses. Shock, anger, denial, helplessness and guilt were some of the responses identified by the whānau. Coping in response to suicide entailed seeking and gaining support, psychological and social isolation as well as searching for reasons as to ‘why’ the suicide occurred. Self-blame or blaming others for the suicide were also imperative factors in how whānau coped in response to suicide.
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    Discourses of grief : the death of the mother : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy
    (Massey University, 1999) Manderson, Daphne Anne
    This purpose of this study was to explore the grief of daughters on the death of their mothers. I interviewed fifteen women. This study draws on feminist post-structuralist insights into subjectivity as constructed in the interplay, and between socially available discourses. I identified three interrelated and co-existing discourses through which the metadiscourse of grief arose. These discourses were continuity, discontinuity and silencing. Two distinct patternings of the discourses were identified within the corpus of the text, and these seemed to be shaped primarily by the age of the woman when her mother died. These discourses are considered and collated within the social/historical context in which medical and psychological notions of grief have been hegemonic, and other subordinated and lay discourses are emerging. I suggest the understanding of oneself as a daughter in grief changes over time. The women interviewed in this study showed a 'desire' not to 'get over it' and disconnect, but to incorporate a continuing bond with the mother. How this is achieved is explained.