Chapter
The Social Aftermath of a Suicide in the Family: Some Empirical Findings (IN: Current Concepts of Suicide, edited by D Lester)
Calhoun L G~~Selby J W
The authors describe some of their studies on social perceptions of family members bereaved by suicide & perceptions that family members have of themselves. Findings suggest that people trying to cope with a suicidal death are likely to encounter a social environment that may add significant burdens to the coping process. Some attribution of blame is likely & there is often a perception that family members should be embarrassed or ashamed. Survivors may misrepresent the cause of death.