Year: 2009 Source: Omega, v.59, no.3, (2009), p.181-202 SIEC No: 20090755

With a diverse sample of 462 parent survivors of a child’s suicide, the authors explored the association of the personal growth subscale of the Hogan Grief Reaction Checklist with mental health problems among longer-term survivors. Additional validation for this scale’s association with longer-term survivorship & reduced grief difficulties is offered. In addition, its negative relationship with mental health problems is demonstrated. The demographic correlates of personal growth, which are likely to enable some survivors to experience personal growth sooner than others, are explored. Findings suggest that personal growth represents an important part in the process of healing after suicide loss. (28 refs.)