Hope as a Moderator of the Relationship Between Interpersonal Predictors of Suicide and Suicidal Thinking in African Americans

Abstract

Suicide is currently the third leading cause of death of African Americans between the ages of 15 and 24 years. Possible risk factors of suicidal ideation for this population include the two interpersonal constructs of the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide, perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness. Past research has demonstrated that hope is negatively associated with each of these two constructs of the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide and suicidal ideation. The aim of the current study was to investigate hope as a moderator between both thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness and suicidal ideation in a sample of 107 African American college students. Results supported the hypotheses, as hope moderated the relationship between thwarted belongingness and suicidal ideation and perceived burdensomeness and suicidal ideation. This study suggests that African Americans who endorse high levels of hope are at a lower risk for suicidal thoughts when having perceptions of being a burden and not belonging. Clinical implications are discussed.

Relationship Status and Suicidal Behavior in Gay Men: The Role of Thwarted Belongingness and Hope

“…The third hypothesis, that pathways would weaken the association between relationship status and thwarted belongingness, was also not supported. These results are inconsistent with previous studies that indicate agency and pathways reduce the likelihood of thwarted belongingness and suicidal behavior (Anestis et al., ; Davidson et al., ; Hollingsworth et al., ; Wai et al., ). The current findings suggest that for gay men, agency is not likely to be protective in weakening the association between relationship status and thwarted belongingness, nor the association between thwarted belongingness and suicidal behavior.…”

“…Previous studies have demonstrated associations between high levels of hope and low levels of thwarted belongingness (Anestis, Moberg, & Arnau, ; Davidson, Wingate, Slish, & Rasmussen, ) and between high levels of hope and low levels of suicidal ideation (O'Keefe & Wingate, ; Tucker et al., ). Furthermore, Hollingsworth, Wingate, Tucker, O'Keefe, and Cole () found in African American adults that hope moderated the relationship between thwarted belongingness and suicidal ideation, while controlling for depressive symptoms. Hollingworth et al.…”

“…Hope is defined as a cognitive state involving two components, agency-the perceived ability to motivate oneself to achieve one's goals and pathways-the perceived ability to cognitively plan viable routes to goals (Snyder, 2002). Previous studies have demonstrated associations between high levels of hope and low levels of thwarted belongingness (Anestis, Moberg, & Arnau, 2014;Davidson, Wingate, Slish, & Rasmussen, 2010) and between high levels of hope and low levels of suicidal ideation Tucker et al, 2013). Furthermore, Hollingsworth, Wingate, Tucker, O'Keefe, and Cole (2014) found in African American adults that hope moderated the relationship between thwarted belongingness and suicidal ideation, while controlling for depressive symptoms.…”

Differences in hope, core self‐evaluations, emotional well‐being, and health risk behaviors in freshman university students

“…13 Hope is a potential therapeutic target for intervention to improve mental health outcomes in young adults attending college. Hope is a protective factor in suicide risk 13,17,18 and is associated with positive health practices such as less alcohol use, less binge drinking, less smoking, more frequent exercising, and more dietary fat limitation 19 among college students. Also, hope is associated with positive mental well-being 3,4,20,21 a higher-Grade Point Average (GPA), 20,22,23 better school engagement, 20 a higher likelihood of graduating, and a lower likelihood of dismissal.…”

SHORES: A Practical Mnemonic for Suicide Protective Factors

“…Similarly, research indicates that developing a sense of hope can decrease the negative effects of rumination and suicidal ideation (Tucker et al, ). Research with African American (Hollingsworth, Wingate, Tucker, O'Keefe, & Cole, ) and Hungarian (Chang et al, ) college students supports this counteraction. An early retiree program (Lapierre, Dubé, Bouffard, & Alain, ) focused on building hope through goal setting resulted in decreased suicidal ideation and depression and was found to be effective.…”