Thinking for healing: The role of mentalization deficits as moderator in the link between complicated grief and suicide ideation among suicide-loss survivors
Abstract
Suicide-loss survivors are an at-risk population for complicated grief and suicide ideation. This study examined mentalization deficits as a possible moderator of the association between complicated grief and suicide ideation. Suicide-loss survivors (N = 152) completed questionnaires on complicated grief, suicide ideation, and mentalization deficits. Mentalization deficits facilitated suicide ideation, beyond the contribution of complicated grief. Complicated grief and suicide ideation were more strongly associated at higher mentalization deficit levels. Limitations include the non-representative cross-sectional nature of the sample and the use of a single item for suicide ideation. The findings highlight the critical link between complicated grief and suicide ideation among suicide-loss survivors and mentalization deficits’ role as its possible facilitator.
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The study had adequate statistical power based on an a priori power analysis.
“A priori power analysis [19], conducted using G*Power (version 3.1.9.4) [20], ensured that the statistical power was adequate to obtain statistically significant results.”
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Lenzo, V., Sardella, A., Musetti, A., Petralia, M. C., Grado, I., & Quattropani, M. C. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph191911930 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“A priori power analysis [19], conducted using G*Power (version 3.”
MethodThe relationship between bereavement-related guilt and suicide ideation in Turkish bereaved adults
Keser, E., Çakmakçı, E., Gökmen, F., Şahin, N. E., Akyalçın, R., & Zeybek, S. G. (2025) · Death Studies · doi:10.1080/07481187.2024.2390891 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
- Authors
- Levi-Belz, Y., & Lev-Ari, L.
- Affiliations
- The Lior Tsfaty Center for Suicide and Mental Pain Studies, Ruppin Academic Center, Emek Hefer, Israel
- Venue
- Death Studies
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2022-04-21
- Volume
- 47
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 360-369
- ISSN
- 0748-1187 (ISSN-L)
- 1091-7683
- OpenAlex
- W4224221950
- Cited by
- 9
- References
- 47
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 3
- FWCI
- 2.05
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Death Studies (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (PRG-2-083-14)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion
- Keywords
- complicated grief, suicidal ideation, suicide loss survivors, bereavement, moderator effects
- MeSH terms
- Mentalization, Cross-Sectional Studies, Grief, Humans, Survivors, Suicidal Ideation
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