Understanding the Lived Experiences of African-American Women Who Have Lost a Male Child to Suicide

¶ … Lived Experiences of African-American Women who have lost a male child to suicide

The lived experiences of late-adolescent female suicide survivors: 'A part of me died' by Willem a. Hoffmann; Chris Myburgh; and Marie Poggenpoel.

Explain how the study tested the constructs of the new theory.

Over the years there have been two precise sampling strategies used by numerous researchers. These two strategies are the probability and a non-probability sampling strategies. The main distinction between these two strategies is that the former is more casual and does not have a specific target or segment of the population in mind; whereas the non-probability sampling procedure is very official and very purposeful in its choice of who the researcher studies and why. The researcher used non-probability purposive sampling to hand pick students. More specifically, the research participants were five female late-adolescents (aged 17 -- 22 years) who were recruited by means of purposive sampling at a South African tertiary institution and at youth camps.

For conducting this study, the researcher used the standardized and semi-structured form of interview as that enabled him to get more in-depth and flexible data that would be impossible to get with a completely formal or structured interview format or an unstructured format. The framework was chiefly separated into different sub-categories so that the overall structure would follow rational, coherent and free-flowing instructions. The data assessment for qualitative information was done through a division of all the facts in relevant groups. This allowed thorough and efficient assessments of all responses and information collected. In short data collection consisted of collage facilitated, face-to-face phenomenological interviews. In addition, some participants provided documentary material in the form of personal diaries, letters and poems.

Link theoretical or conceptual frameworks used to support the articles.

The data analysis was conducted according to Giorgi's phenomenological method. The following salient experiences emerged during the data analysis: guilt, self-blame, blaming others or God, anger, loss or restriction of 'self', depression, suboptimal behavioral coping patterns, changes in relationship dynamics, and suicidality. The results of this study can be used by mental health professionals and caregivers to support adolescent suicide survivors effectively, in the midst of their mourning.

Describe the problem, the phenomenon, the issue, or the condition researched in each article.

The researcher articulates that people's thoughts often focus on the suicide victim immediately after a completed suicide. Yet, the real victims of such an event are those individuals who are left behind to cope with the aftermath of the suicide. This phenomenological psychological study explored the lived experiences of late-adolescent suicide survivors, particularly those negative experiences that seemed to worsen in the weeks and months after a significant other's completed suicide.

Identify themes that were included in the literature review.

The researchers initially conceptualized suicide as an inexplicable, irreversible and tragic act that often leaves people confused and stigmatized. Subsequently, he gave facts and figures about global suicidal deaths. Statistics indicate that, on average, more people die annually from suicide than from war, homicide or traffic accidents. Thereafter he explains that although much information regarding the demographics, causes, risk factors and treatment of suicidal behavior has been revealed over the past four decades, only a few studies, most of which were conducted in the United States of America, have focused on the lived experiences of suicide survivors

Article 2: Article Title: The Aftermath of Suicide Among African-Americans: by Donna Holland Barnes

Explain how the study tested the constructs of the theory.

Nineteen participants from throughout the continental United States participated in this study. Many of the participants were recruited from national conferences that focused on suicidal behaviors, prevention, and intervention in persons of color. Others responded to an advertisement that was placed in a national newsletter for suicide survivors. The interviews were conducted during a 5-year period.

For data analysis, the standardized and exploratory format of interviews was used as the main basis for collecting all the necessary data required to attain the aims of the study. The researcher explained that the interview format was perhaps the most useful way as he was looking to get detailed and profound information.

Keeping in view that qualitative data is not gathered with a standardized method similar to that of quantitative, it was divided into categories so as to be analyzed. In this research the wide-ranging strategy that was utilized for data analysis is reliant on hypothetical propositions, which basically means that this study pursued the original propositions on which the (1) aims and objectives and (2) design of the study were founded upon. With the aim of successfully analyzing the gathered data, the survey results were first classified into identical themes. Thereafter, in the discussion chapter (chapter 4) the researcher attempted to explain the research questions and purposes which transformed the concentration of the research.

Thereafter, the data collected was arranged into different theoretical frameworks and assessed with regards to their consistency and similarity. During some stages of the data analysis, the researcher came across a number of concepts and theories, which had not been revealed by other researchers in their studies. These theories and concepts were thereafter described in great detail and the researcher also proposed a number of ways on how they could be associated with the other theories.

Link theoretical or conceptual frameworks used to support the articles.

The researcher points out that there is a paucity of research on suicide survivors and even fewer studies exist on African-American suicide survivors. He conceptualizes suicide survivors as individuals who have lost a family member to suicide. Furthermore, he illustrates that although suicide is a relatively rare event, particularly among African-Americans, the recent dramatic increase in suicide among African-American youth makes it critical to understand this phenomena.