The Invisible Family: a Qualitative Study of Suicide Survivors in Taiwan

This interpretive phenomenological study described the commonality of the lived experience of suicide survivors & how it influences their family relationships in Taiwan from a sociocultural perspective. 13 survivors participated in the study. Results reveal that some survivors blame themselves, some blame others, & some are blamed by their family as part of their need to find a reason for the death. Consequently, family members ignore each other & treat each other as if they are invisible. These Chinese suicide survivors maintain their strained family connections because of strong cultural influences. The experience of living with an invisible family needs to acknowledged when supporting Chinese suicide survivors. (33 refs.)