Abstract
No study to date has simultaneously examined the commonalities and unique aspects of positive psychological factors and whether these factors uniquely account for a reduction in suicide risk. Using a factor analytic approach, the current study examined the relationships between grit, hope, optimism, and their unique and overlapping relationships in predicting suicide ideation. Results of principle axis factor analysis demonstrated close relationships between these variables at both the construct and item level. Item-level analyses supported a five-factor solution (Stick-to-Itiveness, Poor Future, Consistency of Interest, Positive Future, and Poor Pathways). Four of the five factors (excluding Stick-to-Itiveness) were associated with suicide ideation. Additionally, results of a multiple regression analysis indicated that two of the five factors (Consistency of Interest and Positive Future) negatively predicted suicide ideation while Poor Future positively predicted suicide ideation. Implications regarding the interrelationships between grit, hope, and optimism with suicide ideation are discussed.
Highlights
Suicide is a complex phenomenon that presents as a public health concern worldwide.Suicide phenomenon may be understood through various social, political, cultural, and economic factors [1]
Hope, and optimism have demonstrated that these future oriented and goal-related positive psychology factors are independently negatively associated with suicide ideation (e.g., [14,15,16,17,18,19])
The aims of the current study were to: (1) better understand the nuanced relationships between grit, hope, low hopelessness, and optimism; (2) identify common features of these variables that account for their protective nature; and (3) uncover whether there are distinct components that uniquely protect against suicide ideation
Summary
Suicide is a complex phenomenon that presents as a public health concern worldwide. Suicide phenomenon may be understood through various social, political, cultural, and economic factors (i.e., poverty, personality traits, coping mechanisms, and environmental health) [1]. Hope, and optimism have demonstrated that these future oriented and goal-related positive psychology factors are independently negatively associated with suicide ideation (e.g., [14,15,16,17,18,19]) It is currently unknown whether there are common features among these positive psychology variables that account for their protective nature or isolated components that are uniquely protective and responsible for reducing suicide risk. The aims of the current study were to: (1) better understand the nuanced relationships between grit, hope, low hopelessness, and optimism; (2) identify common features of these variables that account for their protective nature; and (3) uncover whether there are distinct components that uniquely protect against suicide ideation. This additional knowledge could have implications for both understanding their mechanisms of influence, and how they function as protective factors
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