Living with Paradox: Finding Strength, Comfort, and Purpose in Spirituality after Homicide

Purpose: Family survivors of homicide comprise an overlooked, under-researched population that is highly vulnerable to protracted mental health outcomes.  Indeed, for homicide survivors, recovery requires a lifelong healing process driven by ongoing reconstruction of meaning.  While it is well-established that spirituality is a pivotal aspect of meaning reconstruction among bereaved populations, very little is known about the role of spirituality in healing among homicide survivors.  The purpose of the current study was to generate a developing theory of the role of spirituality in the process of healing among a sample of family survivors of homicide (N=38).

Methods: In this secondary data analysis, content pertaining to spirituality was extracted from interviews conducted with homicide survivors from four time periods (T1 = after sentencing of the offender to 1-year later; T2 = 5 to 7 years after sentencing; T3 = 9 to 11 years after sentencing; T4 = 13 to 15 years after sentencing) and analyzed using constructivist grounded theory methods.  Grounded theory is an inductive approach involving constant comparison of data and categories for the purpose of generating theory.  Line-by-line open-coding was conducted with T1/T2 data.  Hierarchical focused coding was then used to identify the most significant line-by-line codes, and axial coding was used to identify relationships between focused codes. An initial theoretical framework was formulated using selective coding and was then translated into a visual portrayal of the role of spirituality in healing after homicide.  Next, T1/T2 focused codes were applied to T3/T4 data.  Constant comparisons were made between T1/T2 and T3/T4 data, and additional focused codes were created based on T3/T4.  Axial and selective coding were conducted to determine whether the initial theory applied to survivors for whom a longer period had passed since sentencing, and final modifications were integrated into the visual portrayal of the theory. Constant memo writing and maintenance of an audit trail were used to maximize scientific rigor.

Results: Analysis generated a three-group, four-stage theory of the role of spirituality in the process of healing among homicide survivors. Participants experienced a near universal wrestling with God phase.  Then, those who absolved God of blame for the murder experienced spirituality as a source of strength and comfort, while those who held God responsible experienced ongoing wrestling. A third group had a neutral reaction to God. Those who continued in positive relationship with God experienced paradoxical living, characterized by experience of unexpected benefits amidst tragedy. 

Implications: Previous research has suggested that in cases of severe trauma, reconstruction of meaning can become impossible and spiritual decline imminent.  Remarkably, among this sample of individuals who endured one of the most severe psychological traumas imaginable, over 70 percent of participants reported a positive experience of spirituality in their healing process. Findings from this study can also be used to inform sensitive bereavement services.  Equipped with a deeper understanding of the impact of homicide on spirituality and of the role of spirituality in the healing process among homicide survivors, counselors can tailor services to the spiritual needs of the individual survivor.