Online-group intervention after suicide bereavement through the use of webinars: Study protocol for randomized controlled trial

Introduction The death of a significant person through suicide is a very difficult experience and can have long-term impact on an individual’s psychosocial and physical functioning. However, there are only few studies which have examined the effects of interventions in suicide survivors. In the present study, we examined an online-group intervention for people bereaved by suicide using a group-webinar. Methods The intervention was developed based on focus groups with the target group. The cognitive-behavioral 12-module webinar-based group intervention focuses on suicide bereavement related themes such as feelings of guilt, stigmatization, meaning reconstruction and the relationship to the deceased. Further, the webinar includes testimonial videos and psychoeducation. The suicide survivors are randomized to the intervention or the waiting- list in a group cluster randomized controlled trial. Primary outcome were suicidality (BSSI) and depression (BDI-II), secondary outcomes are symptoms of prolonged grief disorder (ICG-D), PTSD (IES-R), stigmatization (STOSASS) and posttraumatic cognitions (PTCI). Discussion Previous studies of internet-based interventions for the bereaved were writing interventions showing large treatment effects. Little is known about the use of webinars as group interventions. Advantages and challenges of this novel approach of psychological interventions will be discussed.