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Despite research demonstrating positive outcomes of conscious death reflection, very little research directly examines a core proposition of existential psychologists—that death reflection provides an opportunity for more authentic living. The current study compared individuals chronically exposed to genuine mortality cues (funeral/cemetery workers, n = 107) to a matched control sample (n = 121) on autonomous motivation. It also assessed the moderating role of six constructs implicated in growth-oriented processing of death reflection: psychological flexibility, curiosity, neutral death acceptance, death anxiety, approach-oriented coping, and avoidant coping. Funeral/cemetery workers were significantly higher on autonomous motivation, and death-related work was found to have a more positive association with autonomous motivation for those higher on flexibility and lower on death anxiety. This has implications for both understanding which individuals are most likely to experience growth motivations when confronting death, and potential avenues for facilitating these motivations to enhance well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study tested the effects of deep and subtle mortality cues on state autonomy, in addition to the moderating roles of trait autonomy, psychological flexibility, and curiosity. Australian undergraduate students (N = 442) self-reported on moderator variables before being randomly allocated to receive either deep mortality cues, subtle mortality cues, or a control task, and finally reported their state autonomy for life goals. Trait autonomy did not moderate the effect of mortality cues on state autonomy. However, for individuals high on psychological flexibility, any mortality cues led to increased state autonomy compared to the control. For individuals high on curiosity, there was some evidence that only deep mortality cues led to increased state autonomy. These findings help clarify the nature of growth outcomes (in terms of more authentic, autonomous motivation for life goals), and the personal characteristics that facilitate growth-oriented processing of death awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research over the past several decades suggests that meaningful psychedelic experiences can engender long-term effects on subjective wellbeing. However, less research has investigated the psychological mechanisms through which these effects may emerge. In the present study, participants (N = 201) completed an online survey that retrospectively measured the acute effects of a meaningful psychedelic experience, as well as changes in subjective well-being and death anxiety. Reductions in death anxiety significantly mediated the effects of mystical experience on satisfaction with life, positive affect, and negative affect. Reductions in death anxiety did not mediate any of the effects of psychological insight. Although correlational, the findings are consistent with the hypothesis that some of the benefits of psychedelic-induced mystical experiences on subjective well-being may emerge due to reductions in death anxiety. Nevertheless, further research is needed to establish a causal effect of reduced death anxiety on well-being in the context of psychedelic experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating impact on unemployment, which—compounded by the additional stressors associated with the pandemic—had considerable mental health impact. The current study examined the trajectory of mental health amongst those experiencing pandemic-related job loss, alongside the impact of risk and protective factors. Data were obtained from 374 Australian participants who were allocated to a waitlist control arm of a randomised control trial. The outcome variables assessed at baseline and six-month follow-up consisted of depression, anxiety, and suicidality. The assessed risk and protective factors were age, gender, relationship status, education, exercise frequency, COVID-related stress, dispositional resilience, and coping self-efficacy. Re-employment by follow-up was used as a covariate. Overall, there were decreases in depression and anxiety symptoms, and partial evidence of decreased suicidality, demonstrating an apparent capacity for individuals to better cope with their circumstances over time. Demographics and exercise had no effect on changes in mental health. Those with high COVID-related stress, low resilience, and low coping self-efficacy had worse mental health at baseline, although exhibited significantly greater improvements in mental health over time. Obtaining re-employment by follow-up did not predict changes in mental health. The present results offer an optimistic picture of recovery for those experiencing pandemic-related job loss, even for those with the most substantial risk and severity. The likely protective role played by Australian social welfare policies over the course of the study is explored. Stress around one’s broader sociocultural or economic circumstances, perceived resilience, and coping self-efficacy are valuable targets for intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The majority of people who die by suicide are unknown to formal mental health services. The current review identified predictors of non-receipt of mental health services among individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviours. Such data provides insight into the needs and preferences of these individuals and inform improvements to existing services.Methods: PsycInfo, PubMed/Medline, CINAHL, and Web of Science were systematically searched from 1st January 1980 up to 20th September 2021. Included studies examined predictors of not receiving formal mental health services among people at risk of suicide. Study quality was assessed by adapting the Joanna-Briggs Institute Checklist for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies. Findings were presented with narrative synthesis. PROSPERO registration: CRD42021256795.Results: Included studies (n = 35, sample range = 46-19,243) were predominately conducted in the United States. Non-receipt of services in nationally representative studies was varied (25.7-91.8%). Results indicate that non-receipt of mental health services among people with suicidality is associated with minority ethnicity, better perceived general health, lower psychological distress, lower severity of suicidality, no mental health diagnosis, lower perceived need for treatment and lower use of medical services.Limitations: Limitations included few studies conducted in low-middle income countries, limited literature on key predictors of interest, and exclusion of informal sources of support.Conclusion: Individuals with suicidality who are unknown to mental health services have diverse attributes. For some, non-use of services may result from low suicidal distress and perceived need for treatment. Further research is needed to understand why these predictors are associated with service non-use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]