Death StudiesPub Date : 2025-08-01DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2025.2537969
Jordana L Clayton, Nancy Aruscavage, Sharon E Bigger, Sara G Bybee, Rebecca L Utz, Eli Iacob, Kara B Dassel
{"title":"\"Quality of life matters to me more than life, itself\": A qualitative exploration of older adults' values and preferences on controlling the time of death.","authors":"Jordana L Clayton, Nancy Aruscavage, Sharon E Bigger, Sara G Bybee, Rebecca L Utz, Eli Iacob, Kara B Dassel","doi":"10.1080/07481187.2025.2537969","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2025.2537969","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study explored healthy older adults' values and preferences for controlling time of death and if these preferences change with hypothetical future disease. We used an interpretive descriptive approach to analyze open text responses (N = 121) from a national study on end-of-life values and preferences (age ≥ 50, N = 517). Codes/categories were developed deductively by three coders who engaged in ongoing conversation about discrepancies and refined the codes iteratively. Controlling time of death and having a natural death were both desirable care preferences and varied with hypothetical future disease. We identified three values that shaped preferences: A Good Death, Burden to Others, and Relationship with Family. We also identified two contextual factors that modified preferences: Disease Trajectory and Legal Concerns. We found that a hypothetical future diagnosis of dementia and anticipation of financial burden to family motivated preferences to control time of death.</p>","PeriodicalId":11041,"journal":{"name":"Death Studies","volume":" ","pages":"1-15"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144764745","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Death StudiesPub Date : 2025-07-30DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2025.2537978
Vittorio Lenzo, Andrea Fontana, Gianluca Santoro, Gaia Cuzzocrea, Valentina Miniati, Maria C Quattropani, Paul A Boelen, Vincenzo Caretti, Adriano Schimmenti, Lucia Sideli
{"title":"Psychometric properties of the Italian Traumatic Grief Inventory-Self Report Plus (TGI-SR+).","authors":"Vittorio Lenzo, Andrea Fontana, Gianluca Santoro, Gaia Cuzzocrea, Valentina Miniati, Maria C Quattropani, Paul A Boelen, Vincenzo Caretti, Adriano Schimmenti, Lucia Sideli","doi":"10.1080/07481187.2025.2537978","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2025.2537978","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Traumatic Grief Inventory-Self Report Plus (TGI-SR+) is a widely used and reliable tool assessing Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) symptoms. This study examined the factorial structure and psychometric properties of the Italian TGI-SR+. A community sample of 308 participants aged 18-65 (M = 37.9, SD = 14.5) with 78.2% women completed the TGI-SR+ and measures of psychological distress, post-traumatic symptoms, and quality of life. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a unidimensional model. Reliability was excellent. In total, 6.2% met criteria for DSM-5-TR and ICD-11 PGD (cutoff ≥71), and 3.9% for DSM-5 Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder (PCBD; cutoff ≥75). PGD scores differed by gender and cause of death, with higher severity in women and sudden losses. The Italian TGI-SR+ showed good convergent and known-group validity, supporting its use in clinical assessment and research on psychological and social factors involved in the onset and course of PGD.</p>","PeriodicalId":11041,"journal":{"name":"Death Studies","volume":" ","pages":"1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144752584","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Death StudiesPub Date : 2025-07-29DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2025.2537975
Matias Gay
{"title":"Speaking to the self or others? Exploring existential, relational, and narrative identity in suicide notes using thematic and psychodynamic analysis.","authors":"Matias Gay","doi":"10.1080/07481187.2025.2537975","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2025.2537975","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Suicide notes are unique linguistic expressions written at an existential threshold. This qualitative study explores how identity, defense, and meaning-making are symbolically constructed in such texts. Using an interpretivist lens, we analyzed 26 suicide notes through an integrated framework combining the Existential Network of Suicidal Identity (ENSI), Controls of Self-Deception (CsSD), and Suicidal Pursuit of Goals (SPG). Notes were treated as discursive artifacts, examined for patterns of identity disconnection (existential, relational, narrative), defensive language use, and communicative orientation. Findings revealed layered identity strain expressed through tonal shifts, metaphor, and narrative fragmentation. Defensive strategies-such as denial, repression, and projection-emerged as discursive mechanisms aligned with specific psychological positions. SPG analysis illustrated temporal movement through despair, burden, and conflicted resolution. Rather than transparent accounts of intent, suicide notes are framed here as symbolic performances of selfhood. This approach contributes to sociolinguistic suicidology by highlighting the interplay of identity, defense, and narrative temporality in suicidal communication.</p>","PeriodicalId":11041,"journal":{"name":"Death Studies","volume":" ","pages":"1-15"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144741569","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Death StudiesPub Date : 2025-07-29DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2025.2537974
Liliana Sousa, Ana Flávia Barreira, Rosa Marina Afonso, Ana Paula Martins
{"title":"Profiles of death attitudes of professionals who support community living older adults.","authors":"Liliana Sousa, Ana Flávia Barreira, Rosa Marina Afonso, Ana Paula Martins","doi":"10.1080/07481187.2025.2537974","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2025.2537974","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Death is a frequent event for those professionals who work with older adults in day care centers (DCC) and home care services (HCS). This study aimed to profile the attitudes toward death of professionals who support community living older adults. This quantitative cross-sectional observational study used an online survey comprising a sociodemographic and professional questionnaire, the <i>Death Attitude Profile-Revised</i> (DAP-R) and the Satisfaction with Life scale (SWL). A convenience sample of 201 participants revealed, through cluster analysis three profiles of attitudes toward death: Neutral Acceptance (48.3%), Negative Attitudes (30.3%), and Mixed Attitudes (21.4%). Socio-demographically, only formal education was significantly associated with attitude profiles. Professionals working at DCC have a significantly higher prevalence of neutral attitudes, compared to HCS professionals. It is crucial to invest in the training and professional development of those supporting older adults in the community, particularly addressing negative and mixed attitudes toward death.</p>","PeriodicalId":11041,"journal":{"name":"Death Studies","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144741568","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Death StudiesPub Date : 2025-07-29DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2025.2537972
Luz M Garcini, Kathryn O Gonzalez, Ling DeBellis, Sam Mulford, Eesha Kodavatikanti, Elizabeth Buchwald, Allison P Edwards, Donna Olson-Salas, Cristen Reat, Omobola Oyeleye, Cameron Jeter
{"title":"Breaking the silence: A systematic review of methodology and findings of studies on bereavement among adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.","authors":"Luz M Garcini, Kathryn O Gonzalez, Ling DeBellis, Sam Mulford, Eesha Kodavatikanti, Elizabeth Buchwald, Allison P Edwards, Donna Olson-Salas, Cristen Reat, Omobola Oyeleye, Cameron Jeter","doi":"10.1080/07481187.2025.2537972","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2025.2537972","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study systematically reviewed the methodology and findings of 28 peer-reviewed studies on the experiences of loss, grief, and bereavement among adults with intellectual & developmental disabilities (IDD). Of these studies, five included quantitative data, 11 were qualitative studies, and 12 utilized mixed methods. Furthermore, eight of the included studies were interventions, focused on understanding grief among adults with IDD, including identifying risk- and protective-factors in the face of bereavement. Overall, results showed significant gaps in knowledge about the bereavement process among adults with IDD, and the need for more inclusive studies with increased methodological rigor. Significant themes from the studies included the relevance of understanding the concept of death, communicating about loss/death, symptoms of bereavement, coping strategies, sources of support for adults with IDD, and improving bereavement training for caregivers and staff to adults with IDD. Risk factors associated with diminished health outcomes in the face of bereavement included greater cognitive impairment and exclusion from: (a) funerals and loss rituals, (b) conversations regarding loss and death, and (c) advanced planning and end of life decisions. Effective bereavement coping strategies identified included: (a) spending time with and talking to family or friends, (b) engaging in relaxing activities, such as breathing exercises, listening to music, and/or spiritual engagement, and (c) engaging in creative activities, such as painting, drawing, or storytelling. This review highlights areas for future research to fill existing gaps in knowledge, which is needed to support the health and well-being of adults with IDD when they experience loss.</p>","PeriodicalId":11041,"journal":{"name":"Death Studies","volume":" ","pages":"1-21"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144741567","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Death StudiesPub Date : 2025-07-29DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2025.2539315
Chandra Ramamurthy, Gregory Armstrong, Karl Andriessen
{"title":"\"We need to share our stories\": Perspectives from suicide loss survivors in India.","authors":"Chandra Ramamurthy, Gregory Armstrong, Karl Andriessen","doi":"10.1080/07481187.2025.2539315","DOIUrl":"10.1080/07481187.2025.2539315","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Suicide in India is complex and stigmatized, with limited research on cultural influences on bereavement. This study examines the role of narratives in suicide bereavement, highlighting cultural influences that can inform effective postvention strategies in India. We adopted a phenomenological approach and conducted in depth interviews with a purposive sample of suicide loss survivors (<i>N</i> = 15, 11 females and 4 males), who were recruited through suicide support groups as well through snowball sampling. The inductive thematic analysis of the data yielded four main themes (1) impact of suicide loss, (2) support systems and strategies, (3) role of cultural narratives, and (4) interplay of societal norms, language and media. Our findings highlight the role of narratives in suicide bereavement, shaping grief, support access and coping amid stigma. Participants discussed cultural, religious, and media influences, advocating for lived experiences in India's suicide prevention and postvention efforts.</p>","PeriodicalId":11041,"journal":{"name":"Death Studies","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144741566","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Death StudiesPub Date : 2025-07-28DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2025.2537981
Tyler Hendley, Raymond P Tucker, Robert Cramer, Ryan M Hill
{"title":"A network analysis of social determinants of health and rates of youth suicidal ideation and suicide attempts at the neighborhood-level in Houston, Texas.","authors":"Tyler Hendley, Raymond P Tucker, Robert Cramer, Ryan M Hill","doi":"10.1080/07481187.2025.2537981","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2025.2537981","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>To identify youth suicide risk factors and possible avenues for intervention, a social-ecological model approach has been encouraged. In considering which youth may think about or attempt suicide, the assessment of social determinants of health (SDOH) appears vital. Utilizing a network analytic approach, this study developed an estimated partial correlation network to examine relationships between youth suicidal ideation/suicide attempts via youth suicide screens (<i>N</i> = 17,018), and SDOH using census tract (<i>N</i> = 608) data indicators of Houston, TX. While most nodes showed connectivity within the network, youth suicidal ideation (<i>M</i> = 19.66, <i>SD</i> = 9.14) and suicide attempt(s) (<i>M</i> = 11.58, <i>SD</i> = 7.53) were disconnected from all nodes, aside from each other (<i>r</i><sub>partial</sub> = 0.54). Youth suicidal ideation and attempt(s) did not produce any strong direct or indirect relationships with SDOH measured at the community level in the partial correlation network.</p>","PeriodicalId":11041,"journal":{"name":"Death Studies","volume":" ","pages":"1-14"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144728524","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Death StudiesPub Date : 2025-07-24DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2025.2529281
Michael J Kyron, Andrew C Page, Wai Chen, Jaime Delgadillo, Hanh Ngo
{"title":"Beyond meaning in life: How a perceived futility in searching for meaning in life predicts suicidal ideation.","authors":"Michael J Kyron, Andrew C Page, Wai Chen, Jaime Delgadillo, Hanh Ngo","doi":"10.1080/07481187.2025.2529281","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2025.2529281","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Existential nihilism, the belief that life lacks inherent meaning, has been linked to poor mental health. While research has identified that the presence of meaning protects against suicidal ideation, little empirical research has explored the relationship between existential nihilism and suicidal ideation. This study explored the direct and moderating effects of existential nihilism on suicidal ideation in a sample of 775 university students over three time points. Results indicated that existential nihilism directly predicted suicidal ideation, independent of meaning in life and depressive symptoms. Additionally, existential nihilism moderated the relationship between interpersonal difficulties and suicidal ideation, amplifying the impact of interpersonal struggles on suicidal thoughts. These findings underscore the importance of existential beliefs in understanding suicide risk and highlight the clinical relevance of addressing existential distress in mental health interventions for young adults. Future research should further examine existential factors in suicide prediction and prevention strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":11041,"journal":{"name":"Death Studies","volume":" ","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144706682","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Framing mortality: Preschoolers' views on death through photovoice.","authors":"Flora Koliouli, Konstantinos Axiotis, Kornilia Hatzinikolaou","doi":"10.1080/07481187.2025.2533249","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2025.2533249","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study explored preschool-aged children's perceptions of death using the Photovoice method. Thirteen 5-year-old children from two Greek kindergartens took photographs representing \"something no longer alive\" and participated in semi-structured interviews. Reflexive thematic analysis revealed four main themes: biological needs and functionalities, the soul in defining death, the causality dimension, and spiritual/religious aspects of understanding death. Findings indicate that preschoolers demonstrate a nascent understanding of death's biological dimensions, including cessation of bodily functions and irreversibility. However, comprehension varied and was influenced by personal experiences and cultural-religious beliefs. Some participants showed a more advanced understanding of death causality than previously documented for this age group. The study highlights the potential of using concrete and visual methods to explore young children's conceptualization of death and emphasizes the need for age-appropriate education on life and death.</p>","PeriodicalId":11041,"journal":{"name":"Death Studies","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144642048","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Death StudiesPub Date : 2025-07-07DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2025.2529275
Qing Xie, Jing Lin, Yue Ding, Yu Kou
{"title":"Algorithmic anthropomorphism and AI moral standing: The moderating role of mortality salience.","authors":"Qing Xie, Jing Lin, Yue Ding, Yu Kou","doi":"10.1080/07481187.2025.2529275","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2025.2529275","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Previous studies indicate that AI's appearance enhances its moral standing, but the role of algorithmic anthropomorphism (how it talks) remains unknown. According to Terror Management Theory, human moral concern toward AI is not always immutable and may be shaped by the presence of mortality salience. We investigated the effect of algorithmic anthropomorphism on AI moral standing, as well as the moderating role of mortality salience, through two experiments. Chinese college students answered questions online regarding functional AI and social AI. Algorithmic anthropomorphism significantly promoted the moral standing of both functional AI and social AI. Mortality salience played differentiated moderating roles, reversing the positive impact of algorithmic anthropomorphism on functional AI moral standing and enhancing it on social AI moral standing. The findings expand the research on AI ethics and Terror Management Theory, contributing to a better understanding of AI moral standing and mortality reminders.</p>","PeriodicalId":11041,"journal":{"name":"Death Studies","volume":" ","pages":"1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144583343","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}