def test(self): model = QStandardItemModel() item_parent = QStandardItem("parent") item_child = QStandardItem("child") model.insertRow(0, item_parent) item_parent.insertRow(0, item_child) self.assertEqual(model.index(0, 0).data(), "parent") self.assertEqual(model.index(0, 0, model.index(0, 0)).data(), "child") del item_child del item_parent gc.collect() self.assertEqual(model.index(0, 0).data(), "parent") self.assertEqual(model.index(0, 0, model.index(0, 0)).data(), "child")