Measuring the outcomes of support provided to people after a suicide or other sudden bereavement: A scoping review

Systematic collection of outcome measures within suicide bereavement support is vital in building the sector’s evidence base. However, there is currently limited understanding around the appropriate and sensitive use of outcome measures. Following the scoping review methodology, a literature review was undertaken to map how programs and interventions that assist individuals bereaved by suicide or other sudden, traumatic deaths gather outcome measures. The search strategy identified 1145 papers, of which 49 met the inclusion criteria. The review identified many ways that outcomes are captured, with custom tools being commonplace. Among standardized tools, the Grief Experience Questionnaire (GEQ) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) emerged as frequently used. Most articles provided some form of justification for their chosen outcome measure methodology, often citing psychometric robustness over consideration of the impact on service users. The review underscores the need for careful consideration when selecting outcome measure tools or approaches in sudden-death bereavement interventions.