What does the term "survivor guilt" encompass?

The term "survivor guilt" specifically relates to the guilt experienced by individuals who survive a traumatic event or the death of a loved one while others did not. This condition often arises when the survivor grapples with the question of why they were spared when others were not, leading to feelings of unworthiness or self-blame. Such guilt can be compounded by the belief that one should have done something to prevent the loss or to have saved someone else.

In contrast, the other options do not capture the essence of this psychological phenomenon. Feelings of anger after a loss might be common but are not the defining characteristic of survivor guilt. Thoughts about life and death can be related but are broader and not specific to the feelings of guilt experienced by survivors. A desire for closure after trauma is also relevant in a general sense but does not encapsulate the specific emotional turmoil of feeling guilt for surviving. Thus, the choice that most accurately reflects the concept of "survivor guilt" is the one focused on the feelings of guilt experienced by individuals who have survived after the death or loss of a loved one.