The Lived Experience of Mothers Bereaved by the Suicide Death of a Child.

186 Pages·2015·1.46 MB·English

by  Cynthia Walker Lynn

East Tennessee State University
Digital Commons @ East
Tennessee State University
Electronic Teses and Dissertations Student Works
5-2011
Te Lived Experience of Mothers Bereaved by the
Suicide Death of a Child.
Cynthia Walker Lynn
East Tennessee State University
Follow this and additional works at: htps://dc.etsu.edu/etd
Part of the Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Commons
Recommended Citation
Lynn, Cynthia Walker, "Te Lived Experience of Mothers Bereaved by the Suicide Death of a Child." (2011). Electronic Teses and
Dissertations. Paper 1285. htps://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1285
Tis Dissertation - Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Works at Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State
University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Teses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ East
Tennessee State University. For more information, please contact
The Lived Experience of Mothers Bereaved by the Suicide Death of a Child
____________________

A dissertation
presented to
the faculty of the Graduate Program of the College of Nursing
East Tennessee State University
In partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
___________________
by
Cynthia Walker Lynn
May 2011
___________________
Sadie Hutson, PhD, RN, WHNP, BC, Chairperson
Richard Dew, MD
Linda Garrett, PhD, RN, FNP, BC
Joy Wachs, PhD, RN, PHCNS, BC, FAAOHN

Keywords: Suicide, Suicide Survivors, Mother, Grief, Bereavement, Phenomenology
ABSTRACT
The Lived Experience of Mothers Bereaved by the Suicide Death of a Child
by
Cynthia Walker Lynn
Suicide has existed throughout recorded history. It is a phenomenon that has been both
culturally and morally defined across time and civilizations. It is estimated that over 34,000
Americans deliberately take their own lives annually. Moreover, according to some experts,
between 6 and 28 individuals are directly affected by each completed suicide. These individuals
are referred to as suicide survivors. The consequences for suicide survivors are
multidimensional in part because relationships to the deceased play a vital role in bereavement.
Previous research studies in the areas of suicidology and bereavement have failed to explore the
experience of mothers bereaved by the suicide death of a child. The purpose of this qualitative
study was to explore phenomenologically the lived experience of mothers following the suicide
death of a child. One-on-one, semistructured interviews were conducted with 9 mothers. The
time since the suicide ranged from 1 year and 3 months to 21 years and 6 months. Data analysis
was driven by Max van Manen‘s descriptive-investigative process. This process involved guided
reflections using van Manen‘s 4 existentials: spatiality, corporeality, temporality, and
relationality. The interviews began with a general statement; ‗Tell me about your child.‖
General questions related to the existentials were asked during the interviews to clarify the
participants‘ stories. Data were managed using NVivo 9.0 qualitative data management software.
Three essential themes were inductively derived from the data: 1) Know My Child: Not the Act,
2) Frozen Past: Altered Future, 3) Ocean of Grief. The 3 essential themes provide a deeper
understanding of the role of stigmatization in the grief process of mothers following the loss of a
2
child to suicide. In addition, these themes contribute to an appreciation of the role of past
memories and future orientation as mothers are enmeshed in the grief process and its
unpredictable path. Data from this study clarify the unique circumstances and needs of mothers
as they attempt to navigate life after losing a child to suicide. The findings from this study
suggest areas for future research and will assist healthcare professionals including nurses, school
counselors, and mental health professionals as they approach mothers who are suicide survivors.

3
Copy right 2011 by Cynthia W. Lynn
All Rights Reserved

4
DEDICATION
This manuscript is dedicated to nine mothers and the memory of their deceased children.
May this work serve as a reminder of the beautiful, everlasting bond between mother and child.
Thank you for entrusting me with your story.
And to my friend, Myra Jane McConkey Glandon, I miss you.

5
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I firmly believe from birth until death the path of each life is influenced by our
experiences and others. It is a difficult task to acknowledge all of those in my life responsible
for my growth and development, both personally and professionally. It is my sincere desire to
recognize and affirm a few individuals who have touched my life over the years.
To my own mother Julia Maureen Warwick, thank you for your care, love, and support.
You have always given sacrificially. To my husband of 30 years Gary Ray Lynn, thank you for
providing me with a love and life blessed by God. To my children Nathan Craig Lynn, Jessica
Price Lynn, and Julia Frances Lynn, thank you for the opportunity to be your mother.
Professionally, I would like to acknowledge those responsible for my growth during this
seven year journey. To Dr. Patricia Kraft, thank you for encouraging and supporting me in my
educational trajectory.
Finally, I would like to offer my sincere gratitude and thanks to my dissertation
committee: Dr. Sadie Hutson, Dr. Joy Wachs, Dr. Linda Garrett, and Dr. Richard Dew. The
culmination of this phase of my professional journey will only serve as a stepping stone for
further professional growth. Dr. Sadie Hutson, thank you for your organization and detail during
the development of this manuscript. Dr. Joy Wachs, thank you for the encouragement to expand
and question my philosophical assumptions about myself, life, and others. Dr. Linda Garrett,
thank you for your expertise and guidance during the interviewing process. Dr. Richard Dew,
thank you for guiding me toward a deeper understanding of bereavement and the loss of a child.
6
I am immensely aware that few are given the opportunity and resources that I have been
afforded. It is my belief that who I am is a gift from God and what I choose to do with it is my
gift back to Him. To my Lord, thank you.

7
CONTENTS
Page
ABSTRACT .....................................................................................................................................2
DEDICATION .................................................................................................................................5
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...............................................................................................................6
Chapter
1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................14
Anne‘s Story ......................................................................................................................14
Suicide Statistics ................................................................................................................16
Suicide Risk .......................................................................................................................18
Grief, Bereavement, and Suicide .......................................................................................19
Statement of the Problem ...................................................................................................20
Research Question .............................................................................................................22
Relevance to Nursing .........................................................................................................22
2. LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................................................23
Introduction ........................................................................................................................23
Death and Dying in Society ...............................................................................................24
Historical Perspectives on Death ...........................................................................24
Western Views of Death ........................................................................................25
Death: An Event, but Dying: A Process ............................................................................27
Bereavement, Grief, and Mourning ...................................................................................28
Theory ................................................................................................................................30
Attachment Theory ................................................................................................30
8
Page
Role Theory and Spoiled Identity ..........................................................................31
Bereavement Theory ..............................................................................................32
Gestalt Theory ........................................................................................................37
Historical Perspective on Suicide ......................................................................................38
The Historical Kaleidoscope of Suicide ................................................................41
Early Evidence of Suicide ......................................................................................42
The Perplexity of Suicide .......................................................................................43
Suicide Among Early Civilizations .......................................................................45
Classical Greek and Roman Heritage ....................................................................47
Suicide in Early Christianity ..................................................................................51
Suicide of the Masses.............................................................................................52
The Legacy of the Middle Ages.............................................................................54
The Christian Influence..........................................................................................55
Suicide: Heaven or Hell .........................................................................................56
Asian Culture: Sacrifice or Suicide ........................................................................58
Chinese and Japanese Culture: A Matter of Honor ...............................................59
The Renaissance: A Period of Reflection ..............................................................61
Old Traditions ―Die Hard‖ .....................................................................................62
The Enlightenment: In Search of a Cure for Life ..................................................64
Suicide: From Philosophical-Moral Dilemma to Medical-Social Problem .......................68
A New Beginning ..............................................................................................................70
The Label: Suicide Survivor ..............................................................................................71
9