‘I Just Need Someone to Tell Me What to Do Because This is New Territory’: A Qualitative Interview Study on the Needs of Carers of Children Bereaved by Suicide or Homicide

Omega (Westport). 2025 May 16:302228251338145. doi: 10.1177/00302228251338145. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The suicide or homicide of a close person leaves children dependent on their carer for positive trauma processing. As these situations exist outside everyday parenting skills, this study aimed to better understand carers’ experiences and needs. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with carers of children bereaved by suicide or homicide and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Four themes concerning the carers’ wishes and support needs relating to their children were generated: A stabilising force, which discusses how the carers themselves need someone “bigger and stronger”, Feeling secure in the knowledge of others, which explores the carers appreciation for someone knowledgeable to guide and enable them, Someone in the same boat, elaborating on the role of self-help; and Easily accessible support, highlighting demands on support offers if they are to be effective. The testimonies of the carers provide important insights for the future development of effective support services for adults and children.

PMID:40375710 | DOI:10.1177/00302228251338145