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SEARCHING FOR MEANING: AN INVESTIGATION OF LIFE MEANING IN DEPRESSED ADULTS

Braden, Abby L.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1323833652

Abstract Details

2011, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Psychology.
Psychological risk factors for depression and suicide have been identified, but the impact of life meaning on symptoms of depression and suicide has not been adequately examined in empirical investigations. The present study examined life meaning in depressed patients at the VA Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio, during an initial assessment consisting of a diagnostic interview and self-report questionnaires. Patients were re-evaluated at an 18 week follow-up visit. Two measures of life meaning were completed, the Life Regard Index – framework subscale and the Personal Meaning Profile. Among depressed veterans, less life meaning was significantly related to more severe depression, more intense hopelessness, and more frequent thoughts of suicide. Furthermore, life meaning contributed to the understanding of suicidal ideation above and beyond known risk factors. Follow-up analyses revealed that an increase in life meaning during the 18 week follow-up was significantly related to a decrease in depressive symptoms and hopelessness. Researchers and clinicians are encouraged to address the impact of a lack of life meaning on the development and course of depressive symptoms, hopeless thoughts, and suicidal behaviors.
James Overholser, PhD (Committee Chair)
Julie Exline, PhD (Committee Member)
Arin Connell, PhD (Committee Member)
Abraham Wolf, PhD (Committee Member)
107 p.
Clinical Psychology
depression; suicidal ideation; life meaning; Veterans

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Braden, A. L. (2011). SEARCHING FOR MEANING: AN INVESTIGATION OF LIFE MEANING IN DEPRESSED ADULTS [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1323833652

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Braden, Abby. SEARCHING FOR MEANING: AN INVESTIGATION OF LIFE MEANING IN DEPRESSED ADULTS. 2011. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1323833652.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Braden, Abby. "SEARCHING FOR MEANING: AN INVESTIGATION OF LIFE MEANING IN DEPRESSED ADULTS." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1323833652

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1323833652
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© 2011, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.