Love, loss and despair: the role of romantic relationships in suicidal ideation and prevention

Romantic relationships are essential in determining one’s emotional and psychological health. Healthy relationships bring about support and stability, while relationship distress, breakup and emotional neglect lead to mental illness and increase the vulnerability to suicidal ideation. Suicide ideation refers to ideas, thoughts or suicide plans and is affected by several psychological, social, biological and environmental factors. Among these, romantic distress stands out as a considerable yet frequently undervalued instigator. In this paper, the complex link between romantic relationship and suicide ideation is explored with an accent on how relational conflicts, betrayal, emotional abuse and breakup are factors behind psychological distress and suicidal ideation. A sample of 162 participants aged 18–30 completed measures assessing relationship satisfaction, suicidal ideation and attachment styles.