Grief cognitions and cognitive-emotional regulation associated with romantic breakup distress among college students

Abstract

Introduction

Individuals manage differently the experience of a romantic breakup [RB]. These differences may in part be related to the use of different cognitive-emotional regulation strategies [CERS]. Also, global negative beliefs and catastrophic misinterpretations regarding the RB may contribute to the emotional distress (Boelen and Reijntjes, 2009).

Objectives

To explore the associations between CERS, grief cognitions related to RBs, and depression and suicidal ideation/behaviors in a sample of college students.

Aims

To conduct regression analyses to predict depression, anxiety, hostility, and suicide behaviors from CERS and grief cognitions (as independent variables).

Methods

Cross-sectional, self-report data was collected from 359 college students who experienced a RB. The assessments used were: Cognitive-Emotional Regulation Questionnaire- Short Form (Garnefski et al., 2002); the Grief Cognitions Questionnaire adjusted to grief after RBs (Boelen et al., 2003); the subscales of Depression, Anxiety, and Hostility of the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms-62; and the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised, Osman et al., 2001).

Results

Past suicide thoughts or attempts were predicted by Other-Blame; self-reported likelihood of future suicide attempt was predicted by Self-Blame, Other-Blame, and Positive Reappraisal, Grief Cognitions-Future, and Grief Cognitions-Appropriateness. Depression was predicted by all cognitive-emotional regulation subscales except Acceptance and Perspective, and by RB grief cognitions (self, future, self-blame, others, and perceived appropriateness of own grief reaction).

Conclusions

Clinical assessment to evaluate at-risk young adults after RBs could incorporate evaluations of cognitions regarding the RB and self-blaming, appropriateness of one's own grief reaction, and thoughts about the future.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.