Abstract
In this volume, our contributing experts have described the potential application of positive psychological constructs to the prevention of suicide, melding together the two seemingly disparate fields of positive psychology and suicidology. Using a framework of applied resiliency, this new field of Positive Suicidology stands in contrast to traditional deficit-oriented therapeutic and research approaches, with its emphasis on strengths, virtues, and adaptivity. Comprising classic topics such as reasons for living and social support, as well as the modern perspectives of gratitude, forgiveness, and mindfulness, we have posited Positive Suicidology as a new paradigm for suicide prevention and intervention, including as a proactive and preemptive public health strategy. Thematic patterns emerged from our exploration, suggesting that protection from suicide is multi-faceted, involving interpersonal and intrapersonal well-being, but also existential health and temporal balance. Our authors address theoretical and research support for an array of positive psychological factors found to reduce suicide risk, and discuss strategies for their clinical application, including therapies based on future orientation, mindfulness, and meaning-making. Future longitudinal research is needed on these and additional positive psychological factors, such as humor and grit, including in clinical samples, to insure the strengths-based approach we are advocating is efficacious. Overall, Positive Suicidology seems to be a necessary approach to suicide prevention, given that many of its primary constructs are overlooked in traditional therapeutic approaches, despite burgeoning empirical evidence, person-centered appeal, and the potential to improve well-being and prevent suicide.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Abramson, L., Alloy, L., Hogan, M., Whitehouse, W., Gibb, B., Hankin, B., & Cornette, M. (2002). The hopelessness theory of suicidality. In T. E. Joiner & M. D. Rudd (Eds.), Suicide science: Expanding the boundaries (pp. 17–32). Norwell, MA: Kluwer Academic.
Allen, J., Mohatt, G. V., Rasmus, S. M., Hazel, K. L., Thomas, L., & Lindley, S. (2006). The tools to understand: Resilience in the study of minority stress and health of sexual and gender minorities. Journal of Prevention & Intervention in the Community, 32(1–2), 41–59. https://doi.org/10.1300/J005v32n01_04
Bagge, C. L., Lamis, D. A., Nadorff, M., & Osman, A. (2014). Relations between hopelessness, depressive symptoms and suicidality: Mediation by reasons for living. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 70(1), 18–31. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22005
Beck, A. T. (1989). Cognitive therapy for depression and panic disorder. Western Journal of Medicine, 151(3), 311.
Bonanno, G. A. (2004). Loss, trauma, and human resilience: Have we underestimated the human capacity to thrive after extremely aversive events? American Psychologist, 59(1), 20–28. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.59.1.20
Boniwell, I., & Zimbardo, P. G. (2015). Balancing time perspective in pursuit of optimal functioning. In Positive psychology in practice: Promoting human flourishing in work, health, education, and everyday life (2nd ed., pp. 223–236). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118996874.ch13
Brausch, A. M., & Gutierrez, P. M. (2009). The role of body image and disordered eating as risk factors for depression and suicidal ideation in adolescents. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 39(1), 58–71. https://doi.org/10.1521/suli.2009.39.1.58
Britton, P. C., Van Orden, K. A., Hirsch, J. K., & Williams, G. C. (2014). Basic psychological needs, suicidal ideation, and risk for suicidal behavior in young adults. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 44(4), 362–371. https://doi.org/10.1111/sltb.12074
Brown, G. K., Beck, A. T., Steer, R. A., & Grisham, J. R. (2000). Risk factors for suicide in psychiatric outpatients: A 20-year prospective study. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 68(3), 371–377 Retrieved from ISI:000087651500001.
Bryan, C. J., Wood, D. S., May, A., Peterson, A. L., Wertenberger, E., & Rudd, M. D. (2018). Mechanisms of action contributing to reductions in suicide attempts following brief cognitive behavioral therapy for military personnel: A test of the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide. Archives of Suicide Research, 22(2), 241–253. https://doi.org/10.1080/13811118.2017.1319313
Castle, K., Conner, K., Kaukeinen, K., & Tu, X. (2011). Perceived racism, discrimination, and acculturation in suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among black young adults. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 41(3), 342–351. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1943-278X.2011.00033.x
Chambers, D. A., Pearson, J. L., Lubell, K., Brandon, S., O’Brien, K., & Zinn, J. (2005). The science of public messages for suicide prevention: A workshop summary. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 35(2), 134–145. https://doi.org/10.1521/suli.35.2.134.62871
Chang, E. C., & Banks, K. H. (2007). The color and texture of hope: Some preliminary findings and implications for hope theory and counseling among diverse racial/ethnic groups. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 13, 94–103.
Chang, E. C., Sanna, L. J., Hirsch, J. K., & Jeglic, E. L. (2010). Loneliness and negative life events as predictors of hopelessness and suicidal behaviors in hispanics: Evidence for a diathesis-stress model. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 66(12), 1242–1253. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.20721
Chang, E. C., Yu, E. A., Lee, J. Y., Hirsch, J. K., Kupfermann, Y., & Kahle, E. R. (2013). An examination of optimism/pessimism and suicide risk in primary care patients: Does belief in a changeable future make a difference? Cognitive Therapy and Research, 37(4), 796–804. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-012-9505-0
Cheavens, J. S., Cukrowicz, K. C., Hansen, R., & Mitchell, S. M. (2016). Incorporating resilience factors into the interpersonal theory of suicide: The role of hope and self-forgiveness in an older adult sample. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 72(1), 58–69.
Chesin, M. S., Sonmez, C. C., Benjamin-Phillips, C. A., Beeler, B., Brodsky, B. S., & Stanley, B. (2015). Preliminary effectiveness of adjunct mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to prevent suicidal behavior in outpatients who are at elevated suicide risk. Mindfulness, 6(6), 1345–1355. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-015-0405-8
Choi, N. G., DiNitto, D. M., Marti, C. N., & Segal, S. P. (2017). Adverse childhood experiences and suicide attempts among those with mental and substance use disorders. Child Abuse & Neglect, 69, 252–262. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CHIABU.2017.04.024
Chu, C., Walker, K. L., Stanley, I. H., Hirsch, J. K., Greenberg, J. H., Rudd, M. D., & Joiner, T. E. (2018). Perceived problem-solving deficits and suicidal ideation: Evidence for the explanatory roles of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness in five samples. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology., 115(1), 137–160. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspp0000152
Conwell, Y., & Duberstein, P. R. (1995). Prevention of late-life suicide—When, where, why and how. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 49, S79–S83. Retrieved from ISI:A1995RK10900005.
Cuijpers, P., de Wit, L., Kleiboer, A., Karyotaki, E., & Ebert, D. D. (2018). Problem-solving therapy for adult depression: An updated meta-analysis. European Psychiatry: The Journal of the Association of European Psychiatrists, 48, 27–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.11.006
Dangel, T. J., Webb, J. R., & Hirsch, J. K. (2018). Forgiveness and suicidal behavior: Cynicism and Psychache as serial mediators. Journal of Psychology: Interdisciplinary and Applied, 152(2), 77–95. https://doi.org/10.1080/00223980.2017.1408555
Davis, R., Cook, D., & Cohen, L. (2005). A community resilience approach to reducing ethnic and racial disparities in health. American Journal of Public Health, 95(12), 2168–2173. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2004.050146
Dekel, S., Ein-Dor, T., & Solomon, Z. (2012). Posttraumatic growth and posttraumatic distress: A longitudinal study. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 4(1), 94–101. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0021865
Deyo, M., Wilson, K. A., Ong, J., & Koopman, C. (2009). Mindfulness and rumination: Does mindfulness training Lead to reductions in the ruminative thinking associated with depression? EXPLORE: The Journal of Science and Healing, 5(5), 265–271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2009.06.005
Duckworth, A., Steen, T. A., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Positive psychology in clinical practice. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 1(1), 629–651.
Ellis, J., & Smith, P. C. (1991). Spiritual well-being, social desirability and reasons for living: Is there a connection? International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 37(1), 57–63.
Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377–389. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.84.2.377
Frankl, V. E. (1984). Man’s search for meaning. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Fredrickson, B. (2000). Cultivating positive emotions to optimize health and well-being. Prevention and Treatment, 3, 1–25.
Fredrickson, B., & Joiner, T. (2002). Positive emotions trigger upward spirals toward emotional well-being. Psychological Science, 13(2), 172–175.
Grossman, P., Niemann, L., Schmidt, S., & Walach, H. (2004). Mindfulness-based stress reduction and health benefits: A meta-analysis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 57(1), 35–43.
Gruber, J., Mauss, I. B., & Tamir, M. (2011). A dark side of happiness? How, when, and why happiness is not always good. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 6(3), 222–233. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691611406927
Hamilton, J. M., Kives, K. D., Micevski, V., & Grace, S. L. (2003). Time perspective and health-promoting behavior in a cardiac rehabilitation population. Behavioral Medicine, 28(4), 132–139.
Heisel, M., & Flett, G. (2004). Purpose in life, satisfaction with life, and suicide ideation in a clinical sample. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 26(2), 127–135. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOBA.0000013660.22413.e0
Hill, P. L., Allemand, M., & Roberts, B. W. (2013). Examining the pathways between gratitude and self-rated physical health across adulthood. Personality and Individual Differences, 54(1), 92–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PAID.2012.08.011
Hirsch, J. K., & Ellis, J. B. (1995). Family support and other social factors precipitating suicidal ideation. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 41(1), 26–30. https://doi.org/10.1177/002076409504100103
Hirsch, J. K., & Ellis, J. B. (1998). Reasons for living in homosexual and heterosexual young adults. Archives of Suicide Research, 4(3), 243–248. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009696608895
Hirsch, J. K., Visser, P. L., Chang, E. C., & Jeglic, E. L. (2012). Race and ethnic differences in hope and hopelessness as moderators of the association between depressive symptoms and suicidal behavior. Journal of American College Health, 60(2), 115–125.
Hofmann, S. G., & Smits, J. A. J. (2008). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adult anxiety disorders: A meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 69(4), 621–632. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18363421
Huffman, J. C., DuBois, C. M., Healy, B. C., Boehm, J. K., Kashdan, T. B., Celano, C. M., ... & Lyubomirsky, S. (2014). Feasibility and utility of positive psychology exercises for suicidal inpatients. General Hospital Psychiatry, 36(1), 88–94.
Jacinto, G. A., & Edwards, B. L. (2011). Therapeutic stages of forgiveness and self-forgiveness. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 21(4), 423–437.
Joiner, T. E., Van Orden, K. A., Witte, T. K., Selby, E. A., Ribeiro, J. D., Lewis, R., & Rudd, M. D. (2009). Main predictions of the interpersonal psychological theory of suicidal behavior: Empirical tests in two samples of young adults. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 118(3), 634.
Kalra, G., Christodoulou, G., Jenkins, R., Tsipas, V., Christodoulou, N., Lecic-Tosevski, D., … European Psychiatry Association. (2012). Mental health promotion: Guidance and strategies. European Psychiatry: The Journal of the Association of European Psychiatrists, 27(2), 81–86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpsy.2011.10.001
Kelliher Rabon, J., Webb, J. R., Chang, E. C., & Hirsch, J. K. (2018). Forgiveness and suicidal behavior in primary care: Mediating role of future orientation. Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health, 1–13.
Keng, S. L., Smoski, M. J., Robins, C. J., Ekblad, A. G., & Brantley, J. G. (2012). Mechanisms of change in mindfulness-based stress reduction: Self compassion and mindfulness as mediators of intervention outcomes. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 26(3), 270–280.
Kim, S. M., Baek, J. H., Han, D. H., Lee, Y. S., & Yurgelun-Todd, D. A. (2015). Psychosocial-environmental risk factors for suicide attempts in adolescents with suicidal ideation: Findings from a sample of 73,238 adolescents. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 45(4), 477–487. https://doi.org/10.1111/sltb.12143
Laghi, F., Baiocco, R., D’Alessio, M., & Gurrieri, G. (2009). Suicidal ideation and time perspective in high school students. European Psychiatry: The Journal of the Association of European Psychiatrists, 24(1), 41–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpsy.2008.08.006
Larsen, J. T., McGraw, A. P., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2001). Can people feel happy and sad at the same time? Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 81, 684–696.
Laverack, G., & Labonte, R. (2000). A planning framework for community empowerment goals within health promotion. Health Policy and Planning, 15(3), 255–262. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/15.3.255
Leung, K. K., Chen, C. Y., Lue, B. H., & Hsu, S. T. (2007). Social support and family functioning on psychological symptoms in elderly Chinese. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 44(2), 203–213.
Linehan, M. M., Goodstein, J. L., Nielsen, S. L., & Chiles, J. A. (1983). Reasons for staying alive when you are thinking of killing yourself: The reasons for living inventory. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 51(2), 276–286.
Mattis, J. S. (2002). Religion and spirituality in the meaning-making and coping experiences of African American women: A qualitative analysis. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 26(4), 309–321.
Meyer, I. H. (2015). Resilience in the study of minority stress and health of sexual and gender minorities. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, 2(3), 209–213. https://doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000132
Mills, P. J., Redwine, L., Wilson, K., Pung, M. A., Chinh, K., Greenberg, B. H., … Wood, A. (2015). The role of gratitude in spiritual well-being in asymptomatic heart failure patients. Spirituality in Clinical Practice, 2(1), 5.
O’Keefe, V. M., & Wingate, L. R. (2013). The role of hope and optimism in suicide risk for American Indians/Alaska natives. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 43(6), 621–633. https://doi.org/10.1111/sltb.12044
Orbach, I. (2007). Existentialism and suicide. In A. Tomer, G. T. Eliason, & P. T. Wong (Eds.), Existential and spiritual issues in death attitudes (pp. 281–316). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. Retrieved from https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=7BY4UtRFcE4C&oi=fnd&pg=PA281&dq=existential+therapy+suicide&ots=jFgXTe3XAW&sig=C3Hb4vNwzdOCzdaC7CrxuT3gJZ0#v=onepage&q=existential therapy suicide&f=false
Overholser, J. (1995). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of depression, part II: Techniques for improving social functioning. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 25(3), 205–222. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02306629
Paluska, S. A., & Schwenk, T. L. (2000). Physical activity and mental health. Sports Medicine, 29(3), 167–180. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200029030-00003
Pedrotti, J. T., Edwards, L. M., & Lopez, S. J. (2012). Positive psychology within a cultural context. In The Oxford handbook of positive psychology (pp. 49–57). Oxford: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195187243.013.0006
Range, L. M., & Penton, S. R. (1994). Hope, hopelessness, and suicidality in college students. Psychological Reports, 75(1), 456–458.
Recker, N. L., & Moore, M. D. (2016). Durkheim, social capital, and suicide rates across US counties. Health Sociology Review, 25(1), 78–91. https://doi.org/10.1080/14461242.2015.1101703
Reker, G. T., Peacock, E. J., & Wong, P. T. P. (1987). Meaning and purpose in life and well-being: A life-span perspective. Journal of Gerontology, 42(1), 44–49. Retrieved from http://geronj.oxfordjournals.org/content/42/1/44.abstract
Richardson, C. R., Faulkner, G., McDevitt, J., Skrinar, G. S., Hutchinson, D. S., & Piette, J. D. (2005). Integrating physical activity into mental health services for persons with serious mental illness. Psychiatric Services, 56(3), 324–331. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.56.3.324
Rippentrop, A. E., Altmaier, E. M., Chen, J. J., Found, E. M., & Keffala, V. J. (2005, August). The relationship between religion/spirituality and physical health, mental health, and pain in a chronic pain population. Pain, 116(3), 311–321. Retrieved from http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0304395905002216
Rudd, M. D., Rajab, M. H., & Dahm, P. F. (1994). Problem-solving appraisal in suicide ideators and attempters. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 64(1), 136–149. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0079492
Scheier, M. F., Carver, C. S., & Bridges, M. W. (1994). Distinguishing optimism from neuroticism (and trait anxiety, self-mastery, and self-esteem): A reevaluation of the life orientation test. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 67(6), 1063–1078. Retrieved from ISI:A1994PW57800009.
Seligman, M. E. P. (2011). Building resilience. Harvard Business Review, 89(4), 100–106. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21510522
Seligman, M. E., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive psychology: An introduction. American Psychological Association, 55(1), 5.
Sellin, L., Asp, M., Wallsten, T., & Wiklund Gustin, L. (2017). Reconnecting with oneself while struggling between life and death: The phenomenon of recovery as experienced by persons at risk of suicide. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 26(2), 200–207.
Shneidman, E. S. (1993). Commentary: Suicide as psychache. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 181(3), 145–147. Retrieved from http://journals.lww.com/jonmd/Fulltext/1993/03000/Commentary__Suicide_as_Psychache.1.aspx
Smith, N., Baugh Littlejohns, L., & Thompson, D. (2001). Shaking out the cobwebs: Insights into community capacity and its relation to health outcomes. Community Development Journal, 36(1), 30–41. https://doi.org/10.1093/cdj/36.1.30
Soleimanpour, S., Geierstanger, S., & Brindis, C. D. (2017). Adverse childhood experiences and resilience: Addressing the unique needs of adolescents. Academic Pediatrics, 17(7S), S108–S114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2017.01.008
Stice, E., Ragan, J., & Randall, P. (2004). Prospective relations between social support and depression: Differential direction of effects for parent and peer support? Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 113, 155–159.
Suls, J., & Rothman, A. (2004). Evolution of the biopsychosocial model: Prospects and challenges for Health Psychology. Health Psychology, 23(2), 119–125. https://doi.org/10.1037/0278-6133.23.2.119
Taillefer, M. C., Dupuis, G., Roberge, M. A., & LeMay, S. (2003). Health-related quality of life models: Systematic review of the literature. Social Indicators Research, 64(2), 293–323.
Townsend, E., Hawton, K., Altman, D. G., Arensman, E., Gunnell, D., Hazell, P., … Van Heeringen, K. (2001). The efficacy of problem-solving treatments after deliberate self-harm: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials with respect to depression, hopelessness and improvement in problems. Psychological Medicine, 31(6), 979–988.
Utsey, S. O., Bolden, M. A., Lanier, Y., & Williams, O. (2007). Examining the role of culture-specific coping as a predictor of resilient outcomes in African Americans from high-risk urban communities. Journal of Black Psychology, 33(1), 75–93. https://doi.org/10.1177/0095798406295094
Van Orden, K. A., Witte, T. K., Cukrowicz, K. C., Braithwaite, S. R., Selby, E. A., & Joiner, T. E., Jr. (2010). The interpersonal theory of suicide. Psychological Review, 117(2), 575.
Varia, S. G., Ebin, J., & Stout, E. R. (2014). Suicide prevention in rural communities: Perspectives from a community of practice. Journal of Rural Mental Health, 38(2), 109–115. https://doi.org/10.1037/rmh0000019
Walsh, R., & Shapiro, S. L. (2006). The meeting of meditative disciplines and western psychology: A mutually enriching dialogue. American Psychologist, 61(3), 227–239. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.61.3.227
Webb, J. R., Hirsch, J. K., & Toussaint, L. (2015). Forgiveness as a positive psychotherapy for addiction and suicide: Theory, research, and practice. Spirituality in Clinical Practice, 2(1), 48–60.
Weinstein, N. D. (1987). Unrealistic optimism about susceptibility to health problems: Conclusions from a community-wide sample. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 10(5), 481–500. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00846146
West, L. M., Davis, T. A., Thompson, M. P., & Kaslow, N. J. (2011). “Let me count the ways:” Fostering reasons for living among low-income, suicidal, African American women. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 41(5), 491–500.
Wilson, T., Milosevic, A., Carroll, M., Hart, K., & Hibbard, S. (2008). Physical health status in relation to self-forgiveness and other-forgiveness in healthy college students. Journal of Health Psychology, 13(6), 798–803. Retrieved from http://hpq.sagepub.com/content/13/6/798.abstract
Witvliet, C. v. O., Ludwig, T. E., & Vander Laan, K. L. (2001). Granting forgiveness or harboring grudges: Implications for emotion, physiology, and health. Psychological Science, 12(2), 117–123. Retrieved from http://pss.sagepub.com/content/12/2/117.abstract
Wood, A. M., Froh, J. J., & Geraghty, A. W. A. (2010). Gratitude and well-being: A review and theoretical integration. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(7), 890–905. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CPR.2010.03.005
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2018 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Hirsch, J.K., Kelliher Rabon, J., Chang, E.C. (2018). Applied Resiliency and Suicide Prevention: A Strengths-Based, Risk-Reduction Framework. In: Hirsch, J., Chang, E., Kelliher Rabon, J. (eds) A Positive Psychological Approach to Suicide . Advances in Mental Health and Addiction. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03225-8_13
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03225-8_13
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-03224-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-03225-8
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science and PsychologyBehavioral Science and Psychology (R0)