Psychosocial impact of bereavement after suicide and fatal traffic accident: A comparative two-country study

This study examines the psychosocial problems of spouses bereaved as a consequence of unnatural causes of death (suicide and traffic fatality) in two countries, Slovenia (n=53) and The Netherlands (n=32). Structured interviews consisted of standardized measures for depression, substance use, social reactions, and acceptance and attribution of the loss. Although marked differences in sociodemographic background exist, bereaved subjects from both countries show more similarities than differences. Depressed symptomatology is slightly higher in the Slovene bereaved, but symptom patterns are almost identical. Core indicators of clinical depression, as well as reported substance use, are equally low in both countries, and gender and mode of death do not differ significantly. Social acceptance is more problematic in suicide bereaved, particularly in Slovenia. Methodological considerations of cross-cultural bereavement studies are discussed.