Family members who cannot find meaning in their loss suffer greater levels of distress. This stress may take the form of physiological alertness, anxiety, panic attacks, headaches, somatic complaints, sleep disturbances, and difficulty concentrating (Miller, 2009). Survivors often exhibit prolonged feelings of guilt and anger. Family members regularly blame themselves for the death of the victim, creating pseudo-explanations in order to give meaning to this unexplainable trauma (Miller, 2009). Self-directed anger enables the survivor to exert some control over the situation, however, oftentimes this anger is directed outwardly at the police, the justice system, and society in general (Miller, 2009).
External factors also play a significant role in the life of the survivor. Since a murder is considered a violation against the state, victim's families can be left feeling as if the needs of the justice system take priority over the needs of the family and can leave them feeling ignored (Armour, 2002). They become bystanders in their own situation and can experience feelings of loss of control. Further, interactions with the justice system appear to elicit stress reactions and negatively impact the survivor's well-being (Miranda, Molina, & MacVane, 2003). It is important to recognize the role that the justice system and social environment play in influencing the post-homicide experience of the survivor (Armour, 2002).
Isolation by family members who struggle with their own experience of the homicide further impacts the struggle that the survivors face (Horne, 2003). They often do not understand the grieving process and, therefore, do not lend adequate support to the survivor who continues to grieve for an extended period of time. It is difficult for the survivor to understand how others can go on with their daily activities when their own life appears to have come to a screeching halt (Miranda, Molina, & MacVane, 2003). Survivors can be so consumed by their emotional and physical pain that they have no energy left for anything else...
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