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Cutrer-Párraga EA, Allen GEK, Miller EE, Garrett MF, Conklin H, Franklin CN, Norton A, Hee C, Coffey BK. Perceptions and barriers about mental health services among Pacific Islanders: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. J Couns Psychol 2024; 71:89-103. [PMID: 38376929 DOI: 10.1037/cou0000719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Every year, millions of Americans do not receive needed mental health (MH) services. Although Pacific Islanders (PI) have a high need for MH services, this group has the lowest rate of MH care help seeking. This is especially concerning as the rate of suicide has been increasing within the PI community. This study explored how Pacific Islanders think about MH supports, including their attitudes toward and perceptions of barriers to receiving MH services. An interpretative phenomenological analysis focus group study was conducted with cross-generational Pacific Islanders residing in one western state. The findings include (a) PI perceptions that MH help seeking results in family burdensomeness, stigma, and shame; (b) negotiating PI social customs and beliefs related to MH help seeking, care, and support; and (c) PI mistrust of institutional resources. These themes seemed to interact with each other and create perpetuate barriers which prevent help-seeking behaviors. Clinical and research implications will be provided. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - G E Kawika Allen
- Department of Counseling Psychology and Special Education, Brigham Young University
| | | | | | | | | | - Abigail Norton
- Department of Counseling Psychology and Special Education, Brigham Young University
| | - Cameron Hee
- Counseling and Psychological Services, Brigham Young University
| | - Benjamin K Coffey
- Department of Counseling Psychology and Special Education, Brigham Young University
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Jerome A, Allen Heath M, Williams M, Winters R, Cutrer-Párraga EA. Traversing trauma: Resilient women’s religious and spiritual stories of hope and strength. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice 2022. [DOI: 10.1037/pro0000491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Cutrer-Párraga EA, Cotton C, Heath MA, Miller EE, Young TA, Wilson SN. Three Sibling Survivors' Perspectives of their Father's Suicide: Implications for Postvention Support. J Child Fam Stud 2022; 31:1838-1858. [PMID: 35611068 PMCID: PMC9120346 DOI: 10.1007/s10826-022-02308-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This qualitative case study describes three adult siblings' experiences and their perceptions of support connected with the time before and after their father's suicide. At the time of the suicide, participants were ages 1, 5, and 8 years old. We considered commonalities and disparities among the three survivors' perceptions. We also considered how their reported experiences compared to extant literature on child survivors of parent suicide. Our findings suggest that, although the siblings experienced the same traumatic event, each had unique perceptions of the parent's suicide. Immediately prior to closing each interview, to deescalate from the intense topic of suicide, participants offered their impressions of potentially therapeutic children's books and how bibliotherapy may or may not support surviving children. Participants' perceptions of selected children's picture books offer insights about opening communication and addressing challenges specific to a parent's suicide. Implications for teachers, parents, and school-based mental health professionals are provided. We conclude that postvention must consider and monitor each child's perceptions and provide individualized interventions that encourage open communication and support adaptive coping to navigate the intense grief associated with a parent's suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A. Cutrer-Párraga
- Counseling Psychology & Special Education, McKay School of Education, 340 MCKB, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602 USA
| | - Caitlin Cotton
- Spectrum Academy, 867 S 800 W, Pleasant Grove, UT 84062 USA
| | - Melissa A. Heath
- Counseling Psychology & Special Education, McKay School of Education, 340 MCKB, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602 USA
| | - Erica E. Miller
- Counseling Psychology & Special Education, McKay School of Education, 340 MCKB, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602 USA
| | - Terrell A. Young
- Teacher Education, McKay School of Education, 205-F MCKB, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602 USA
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Watson C, Cutrer-Párraga EA, Heath M, Miller EE, Young TA, Wilson S. Very Young Child Survivors' Perceptions of Their Father's Suicide: Exploring Bibliotherapy as Postvention Support. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:11384. [PMID: 34769898 PMCID: PMC8582906 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182111384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Each year in the United States, 7000 to 30,000 children experience their parent's suicide. Due to the stigma associated with suicide, feelings of guilt, and intense grief, surviving family members avoid talking about suicide. Over time, children struggle with confusion and intense emotions associated with their parent's suicide. In this study, seven adults, who reported being younger than six years old at the time of their father's suicide, participated in individual semi-structured interviews. Participants' responses highlight the challenges that young children face due to limited memories of their deceased parent. Interviews concluded with an opportunity for participants to review and express their impressions of 10 children's picture books. Participants offered impressions about how these books may or may not be helpful in supporting young child survivors. Implications for applied practice include considering how children's literature may open communication and assist children in navigating Worden's tasks of grief: (a) accepting the reality of their parent's death; (b) facing the grief and pain; (c) adapting to life changes due to their father's suicide, in particular adapting to altered family relationships; and (d) building memories of the deceased loved one, when possible, to ensure healthy attachment to the deceased parent. Participants' insights provide considerations for selecting children's literature for bibliotherapy. Due to young child survivors' increased risk for attempting and completing suicide, supporting child survivors of parent suicide not only addresses postvention needs but aligns with suicide prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cortland Watson
- Maricopa Unified School District 1, 44150 W Maricopa-Casa Grande Hwy, Maricopa, AZ 85138, USA;
| | | | - Melissa Heath
- Counseling Psychology and Special Education, 340 MCKB, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA;
| | - Erica E. Miller
- BYU-Marriott School of Business, N. Eldon Tanner Building (TNRB) Campus, Provo, UT 84602, USA;
| | - Terrell A. Young
- Teacher Education, 205 F, McKay School of Education, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA;
| | - Suzanne Wilson
- Davis School District, 45 E. State St., P.O. Box 588, Farmington, UT 84025, USA;
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Mosqueda CM, Heath MA, Cutrer-Párraga EA, Ridge RD, Jackson AP, Miller E. Analysis of 48 Hours of Television News Coverage Following the Columbine High School Shooting. School Psychology Review 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/2372966x.2020.1870410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Regehr LJ, Heath MA, Jackson AP, Nelson D, Cutrer-Párraga EA. Storybooks to facilitate children's communication following parental suicide: paraprofessional counselors' perceptions. Death Stud 2019; 45:795-804. [PMID: 31752609 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2019.1692972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Children often have difficulty talking openly about a parent's suicide. Bibliotherapy can help, but no bibliotherapy studies address parental suicide. We gave a focus group (5 paraprofessionals) 15 children's books addressing grief, parental suicide, and emotional expression, asking them which books were most helpful. They emphasized individualizing treatment to fit the child, recommending the books that honestly portrayed suicide, showed a way forward, provided hope, and assured children that they are not alone. The most highly recommend books were Bart Speaks Out: Breaking the Silence on Suicide and After a Suicide Death: A Workbook for Grieving Kids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay J Regehr
- Department of Counseling Psychology and Special Education, 340 MCKB, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
| | - Melissa A Heath
- Department of Counseling Psychology and Special Education, 340 MCKB, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
| | - Aaron P Jackson
- Department of Counseling Psychology and Special Education, 340 MCKB, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
| | - David Nelson
- Department of Family Life, 2102-C JFSB, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Cutrer-Párraga
- Department of Counseling Psychology and Special Education, 340 MCKB, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
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