Citation

Bellini S, Erbuto D, Andriessen K, Milelli M, Innamorati M, Lester D, Sampogna G, Fiorillo A, Pompili M. Front. Psychol. 2018; 9: e198.

Affiliation

Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Suicide Prevention Center, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Frontiers Research Foundation)

DOI

10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00198

PMID

29568278

PMCID

PMC5852099

Abstract

Suicide often has a severe impact on the surviving family and friends. There is a need to better understand the psychological and psychopathological consequences of losing a significant other by suicide. The aim of the present study was to assess hopelessness, depression, suicide risk, complicated grief, intrusive memories, and avoidance in a sample of suicide survivors. In this observational study, 35 bereaved individuals were recruited at the Suicide Prevention Centre of Sant'Andrea Hospital in Rome. Individuals were administered a series of validated instruments: theBeck Depression Inventory II(BDI), theBeck Hopelessness Scale(BHS), theInventory of Complicated Grief(ICG), theImpact of Event Scale(IES), theSubjective Happiness Scale(SHS), and theSatisfaction With Life Scale(SWLS). Most survivors (62.8%) obtained high scores on measures of complicated grief. Scores on the measure of complicated grief were associated with intrusiveness of thoughts and memories, attempts to prevent the thoughts and emotions related to the event, depressive symptoms and hopelessness, and lower scores for feelings of happiness and satisfaction with life. A subgroup of suicide survivors may be at risk of severe psychological distress and suicidal behavior. Identification of these survivors is a necessary step for providing appropriate counseling and psychotherapy.

Language: en

Keywords

complicated grief; depression; hopelessness; suicide; survivors