Experiences of the families of individuals with suicide attempts

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the experiences of the families of individuals who have attempted suicide. Method: In the research, descriptive phenomenological method, one of the qualitative research methods, was used. The sample was determined by criterion sampling technique and consisted of first-degree relatives of patients with a history of suicide who were treated for depression in the Akdeniz University Hospital Psychiatry Clinic between 2019-2022. The Data were collected using face-to-face individual interview method, by personal information form and semi-structured interview form. The descriptive phenomenological method proposed by Giorgi et al. was used in the analysis of the data. The data were analyzed in the N-VIVO 10 Pro package program. Results: It was determined that the participants' perceptions of suicide and living with the person who attempted suicide were mostly negative. They expressed different views on the preventability of suicide. They stated that after the suicide attempt, their lives were adversely affected in many ways, and they expressed that they had positive experiences despite the negativities. Negative emotions were expressed more intensely than positive emotions. It has been determined that they try to exhibit positive attitudes and behaviors to the individual who has attempted suicide, they use effective and ineffective coping coping methods, and they need support and information. Conclusion: In this study, it was concluded that the suicide attempt affects the family members deeply, therefore, there is a need for information and support about the process management after the suicide attempt. In this direction, it is thought that there is a need for support programs to be created for the families of individuals who attempt suicide. Key words: family members, life experience, psychiatric nursing, qualitative research, suicide