When goodbyes matter: The conditional relationship between final conversations and symptoms of depression

An online survey of 528 people who lost someone close to them in the last 5 years was used to test associations between having final conversations (FCs) and depression. The direct effect was nonsignificant, but there were two significant moderation effects. Time since bereavement moderated the FC–depression relationship; there was a negative relationship between FCs and depression shortly following bereavement, but no relationship after more time had passed. The age of the deceased also moderated this relationship; there was a negative relationship between FCs and depression when the deceased was older, but no relationship when the deceased was younger.