Exploring the phenomenon of intrusive mental imagery after suicide bereavement: A qualitative interview study in a British sample.

<h4>Introduction</h4>Each year an estimated 48 million people are bereaved by suicide internationally. Following traumatic events, experiencing intrusive mental imagery relating to the trauma is not uncommon. This phenomenological study aimed to explore the nature, experience and impact...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Katie Quayle, Poppy Jones, Martina Di Simplicio, Sunjeev Kamboj, Alexandra Pitman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2023-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0284897
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849337236383858688
author Katie Quayle
Poppy Jones
Martina Di Simplicio
Sunjeev Kamboj
Alexandra Pitman
author_facet Katie Quayle
Poppy Jones
Martina Di Simplicio
Sunjeev Kamboj
Alexandra Pitman
author_sort Katie Quayle
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Introduction</h4>Each year an estimated 48 million people are bereaved by suicide internationally. Following traumatic events, experiencing intrusive mental imagery relating to the trauma is not uncommon. This phenomenological study aimed to explore the nature, experience and impact of intrusive mental imagery after suicide bereavement.<h4>Methods</h4>Semi-structured interview transcripts with 18 adults bereaved by the suicide of a close contact were analysed using thematic analysis to explore patterns and themes within the data, with particular consideration of the content of images, how people experience and relate to the imagery, and the impact that the imagery has on the bereaved.<h4>Results</h4>Thematic analysis identified common characteristics in the experience of intrusive mental imagery following suicide loss, summarised under two main themes capturing: 1) the descriptive characteristics and 2) the emotional experience of intrusive mental imagery following suicide loss. The majority of participants found the experience of intrusive imagery distressing, but most also described positive aspects, including help in making sense of the death and retaining memories of the deceased.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Findings inform our understanding of the distressing experience of intrusive imagery after suicide loss, also revealing perceived value in processing the death.
format Article
id doaj-art-a79b08cd1d034a6c8d02e874dcc4a89b
institution Kabale University
issn 1932-6203
language English
publishDate 2023-01-01
publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
record_format Article
series PLoS ONE
spelling doaj-art-a79b08cd1d034a6c8d02e874dcc4a89b2025-08-20T03:44:46ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032023-01-01188e028489710.1371/journal.pone.0284897Exploring the phenomenon of intrusive mental imagery after suicide bereavement: A qualitative interview study in a British sample.Katie QuaylePoppy JonesMartina Di SimplicioSunjeev KambojAlexandra Pitman<h4>Introduction</h4>Each year an estimated 48 million people are bereaved by suicide internationally. Following traumatic events, experiencing intrusive mental imagery relating to the trauma is not uncommon. This phenomenological study aimed to explore the nature, experience and impact of intrusive mental imagery after suicide bereavement.<h4>Methods</h4>Semi-structured interview transcripts with 18 adults bereaved by the suicide of a close contact were analysed using thematic analysis to explore patterns and themes within the data, with particular consideration of the content of images, how people experience and relate to the imagery, and the impact that the imagery has on the bereaved.<h4>Results</h4>Thematic analysis identified common characteristics in the experience of intrusive mental imagery following suicide loss, summarised under two main themes capturing: 1) the descriptive characteristics and 2) the emotional experience of intrusive mental imagery following suicide loss. The majority of participants found the experience of intrusive imagery distressing, but most also described positive aspects, including help in making sense of the death and retaining memories of the deceased.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Findings inform our understanding of the distressing experience of intrusive imagery after suicide loss, also revealing perceived value in processing the death.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0284897
spellingShingle Katie Quayle
Poppy Jones
Martina Di Simplicio
Sunjeev Kamboj
Alexandra Pitman
Exploring the phenomenon of intrusive mental imagery after suicide bereavement: A qualitative interview study in a British sample.
PLoS ONE
title Exploring the phenomenon of intrusive mental imagery after suicide bereavement: A qualitative interview study in a British sample.
title_full Exploring the phenomenon of intrusive mental imagery after suicide bereavement: A qualitative interview study in a British sample.
title_fullStr Exploring the phenomenon of intrusive mental imagery after suicide bereavement: A qualitative interview study in a British sample.
title_full_unstemmed Exploring the phenomenon of intrusive mental imagery after suicide bereavement: A qualitative interview study in a British sample.
title_short Exploring the phenomenon of intrusive mental imagery after suicide bereavement: A qualitative interview study in a British sample.
title_sort exploring the phenomenon of intrusive mental imagery after suicide bereavement a qualitative interview study in a british sample
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0284897
work_keys_str_mv AT katiequayle exploringthephenomenonofintrusivementalimageryaftersuicidebereavementaqualitativeinterviewstudyinabritishsample
AT poppyjones exploringthephenomenonofintrusivementalimageryaftersuicidebereavementaqualitativeinterviewstudyinabritishsample
AT martinadisimplicio exploringthephenomenonofintrusivementalimageryaftersuicidebereavementaqualitativeinterviewstudyinabritishsample
AT sunjeevkamboj exploringthephenomenonofintrusivementalimageryaftersuicidebereavementaqualitativeinterviewstudyinabritishsample
AT alexandrapitman exploringthephenomenonofintrusivementalimageryaftersuicidebereavementaqualitativeinterviewstudyinabritishsample