A Systematic Review on the Protective Factors that Reduce Suicidality following Childhood Exposure to External Cause Parental Death, including Suicide

Hua, Phuong; Huang, Chongmei; Bugeja, Lyndal; Wayland, Sarah; Maple, Myfanwy

doi:10.1016/j.jadr.2020.100032

Author(s)

Hua, Phuong

Huang, Chongmei

Bugeja, Lyndal

Wayland, Sarah

Maple, Myfanwy

Publication Date

2020-12-15

Abstract

Background Exposure to parental death in childhood has been associated with increased suicide risk among offspring, although few studies have examined protective factors that reduce suicide risk in this cohort. This systematic literature review aimed to synthesise primary studies on the protective factors that reduce suicidality following childhood exposure to external cause parental death, including suicide. These factors are also regarded as having ‘buffering’ effects that may promote posttraumatic growth and resilience. Methods A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with guidelines from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Ovid PsycINFO, Web of Science, CINAHL via EbscoHost and Ovid EMBASE were searched. Two researchers independently screened the articles, performed data extraction and assessed quality of evidence. Results Of the 1976 studies identified, 23 were included for review. Most studies provided evidence of individual, interpersonal and environmental-level factors which lower an individual's risk of subsequent suicidality following parental death, including suicide. Five studies made specific reference to resilience and gave evidence that bereaved offspring were well-adjusted and showed normative development. Two studies examined posttraumatic growth suggesting some offspring can develop more prosocial traits through the bereavement process. Limitations There were limited studies mentioning posttraumatic growth which did not allow researchers to study its development and how it differs or complements the development of resilience. Most studies also had limited sample sizes. Conclusions Bereaved children have the capacity to adapt to parental death as they transition to adulthood although further research is needed to differentiate individuals who demonstrate resilience from those who exhibit posttraumatic growth.

Citation

Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, v.2, p. 1-17

ISSN

2666-9153

Link

https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/29780

Language

en

Publisher

Elsevier BV

Rights

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

Title

A Systematic Review on the Protective Factors that Reduce Suicidality following Childhood Exposure to External Cause Parental Death, including Suicide

Type of document

Journal Article

Entity Type

Publication

Name	Size	format	Description	Link
evidence/JournalOfEffectiveDisordersReportsOA.pdf	160.66 KB	application/pdf	Proof of Open Access	View document
evidence/JournalOfEffectiveDisordersReportsRefereed.pdf	160.66 KB	application/pdf	Proof of Peer Review	View document
openpublished/ASystematicWaylandMaple2020JournalArticle.pdf	1188.453 KB	application/pdf	Published version	View document

Author(s)	Hua, Phuong Huang, Chongmei Bugeja, Lyndal Wayland, Sarah Maple, Myfanwy
Publication Date	2020-12-15
Abstract	<b>Background</b><br/>Exposure to parental death in childhood has been associated with increased suicide risk among offspring, although few studies have examined protective factors that reduce suicide risk in this cohort. This systematic literature review aimed to synthesise primary studies on the protective factors that reduce suicidality following childhood exposure to external cause parental death, including suicide. These factors are also regarded as having ‘buffering’ effects that may promote posttraumatic growth and resilience.<br/><b>Methods</b><br/>A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with guidelines from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Ovid PsycINFO, Web of Science, CINAHL via EbscoHost and Ovid EMBASE were searched. Two researchers independently screened the articles, performed data extraction and assessed quality of evidence.<br/><b>Results</b><br/>Of the 1976 studies identified, 23 were included for review. Most studies provided evidence of individual, interpersonal and environmental-level factors which lower an individual's risk of subsequent suicidality following parental death, including suicide. Five studies made specific reference to resilience and gave evidence that bereaved offspring were well-adjusted and showed normative development. Two studies examined posttraumatic growth suggesting some offspring can develop more prosocial traits through the bereavement process.<br/><b>Limitations</b><br/>There were limited studies mentioning posttraumatic growth which did not allow researchers to study its development and how it differs or complements the development of resilience. Most studies also had limited sample sizes.<br/><b>Conclusions</b><br/>Bereaved children have the capacity to adapt to parental death as they transition to adulthood although further research is needed to differentiate individuals who demonstrate resilience from those who exhibit posttraumatic growth.
Citation	Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, v.2, p. 1-17
ISSN	2666-9153
Link	https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/29780
Language	en
Publisher	Elsevier BV
Rights	Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
Title	A Systematic Review on the Protective Factors that Reduce Suicidality following Childhood Exposure to External Cause Parental Death, including Suicide
Type of document	Journal Article
Entity Type	Publication

A Systematic Review on the Protective Factors that Reduce Suicidality following Childhood Exposure to External Cause Parental Death, including Suicide

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