Exposure to suicide; Family; Psychological well-being; Depressive symptoms

Abstract

Background and objectives The impact of death by suicide represents an important public health issue. The current study reports data relating depressive symptoms and psychological well-being to exposure to suicide in the family.

Methods A final Portuguese community sample of 266 participants answered a protocol presented on a Google platform. Two groups were defined: a suicide exposure group (n = 45) and a control group (n = 210) who responded to the Échelle de Mesure des Manifestations du Bien-Être Psychologique (Psychological Well-being Manifestation Measure Scale) and to the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Scale to access psychological well-being and depressive symptoms, respectively.

Results Groups differ significantly on psychological well-being, even when contorting for unemployment and having physical disease, differed on depressive symptoms and tended to differ on depressive symptoms when contorting for unemployment and chronic physical disease.

Conclusion Based on results, we suggest that therapeutic interventions should focus not only on reducing depressive symptoms in exposed individuals, but as well as promoting well-being. Limitations include the size of the sample and the cross-sectional nature of the design.