FAMILY’S RESPONSE AND COPING EXPERIENCES ON SUICIDE LOSS IN THE FAMILY: A PHENOMENOGRAPHIC STUDY

Suicide is seen as a severe mental health problem. It is an intentional and voluntary act for people to end their lives; it may result in substance abuse or other disorders, as well as a prolonged decline in health. Suicide has a varied impact on each member of the family, affecting how they interact and communicate. This study aimed to comprehend the responses and coping experiences of suicide bereavement among families within the vicinity of South Cotabato. The research design utilized in this study was a qualitative design with a phenomenography approach. Phenomenography aimed to illustrate the range of perspectives and comprehensions of the knowledgeable phenomenon from different viewpoints. Using it helped develop a comprehensive understanding of the responses and coping experiences employed by families who have suffered a suicide loss. The researchers transcribed the interviewed audio recordings and used Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis to identify and cluster themes. In line with phenomenographic principles, the researchers differentiated between first-order perspectives and second-order perspectives. From each participant's response, a general theme and a minor theme were determined to show the differences in each experience. As a result, themes were taken, and the researchers found the different responses and coping experiences of each family member from different socioeconomic statuses.