Citation

Johnson JG, Zhang B, Prigerson HG. Suicide Life Threat. Behav. 2008; 38(1): 1-12.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032, USA. jjohnso@pi.cpmc.columbia.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, American Association of Suicidology, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1521/suli.2008.38.1.1

PMID

18355104

Abstract

Data from a community-based multi-wave investigation were used to examine a developmental model of risk for depression and suicidality following the death of a spouse. Measures of perceived parental affection and control during childhood were administered to 218 widowed adults 11 months after the death of the spouse. Self-esteem, spousal dependency, depression, and suicidality were assessed 9 months later. Dependency on the deceased spouse mediated a significant association between retrospectively reported parental control during childhood and post-loss depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms mediated significant associations of dependency on the deceased spouse and low self-esteem with suicidal ideation and behavior.

Language: en