Meaning of life as a resource for coping with psychological crisis: Comparisons of suicidal and non-suicidal patients

Abstract

IntroductionMeaning is an important psychological resource both in situations of accomplishment and in situations of ongoing adversity and psychological crisis. Meaning in life underlies the reasons for staying alive both in everyday and in critical circumstances, fulfilling a buffering function with respect to life adversities.AimThe aim of the present study was to reveal the role of both meaningfulness, including specific sources of meaning and reasons for living, and meaninglessness (alienation) in patients suffering from profound crisis situations with or without suicidal intentions and behavior.MethodsThe sample included 148 patients (all Caucasian) who were referred to a crisis center in Moscow, Russia. Seventy-seven patients (54 females, mean age 32.00 ± 11.98 years) reported a current crisis situation in their life but denied suicidal thoughts or behavior. Twenty-nine patients (21 females, mean age 31.55 ± 13.76 years) reported suicidal ideations but denied suicidal attempts or self-harming behavior. Forty-two patients (31 females, mean age 30.64 ± 11.38 years) had episodes of suicidal attempts or self-harming behavior accompanied by suicidal intentions. There were no significant gender or age differences between groups.Participants completed a number of measures of different aspects of meaning and meaninglessness, well-being, ill-being and psychological resources. For some patients (N = 74), a clinical checklist was completed by their doctors assessing 28 various characteristics associated with the patient’s clinical status.Results and discussionMeaningfulness and reasons for living were more helpful in distinguishing between reactions to profound crisis situations (suicidal intentions versus non-suicidal behavior) than were measures of well-being, ill-being, meaning crisis or personality resources. In both suicidal and non-suicidal crisis patients meaningfulness predicted more positive reasons for living. The relationship between meaningfulness and most reasons for living remained significant after controlling for clinically appraised suicidal “readiness,” acute stress and lack of social support. Self-transcendence was the major specific source of meaning predicting higher reasons for living after adjusting for general meaningfulness.ConclusionThe data cast some light on the psychological meaning of suicide. It follows that prevention efforts are to be focused not on eliminating the factors “pushing” one to suicidal behavior, but rather on supporting inner strengths conducive of a positive decision, to be, through enhancing meaningfulness and reasons for living.

Modelo explicativo de riesgo suicida en estudiantes universitarios de Lima Metropolitana

“…En este sentido, la percepción de falta de apoyo social y la carencia de un propósito de vida, tienden a aumentar el riesgo suicida (Mendes et al, 2021); no obstante, la presencia de sentido de vida le brinda al individuo mejor capacidad de afrontamiento ante situaciones que pueden generar estrés, traumas y crisis psicológicas (Kalashnikova et al, 2022). De igual forma, Mitchell et al (2021) destacaron que el apoyo social por parte de la familia, amigos y conocidos contribuyen en la reducción de las conductas suicidas, moderando el estado de ánimo depresivo.…”

The relationship between meaning of life, perceived social support, spiritual well-being and pain catastrophizing with quality of life in migraine patients: the mediating role of pain self-efficacy

“…Existential psychologists have argued that the experience of meaning in life lies at the heart of human existence [ 18 ]. Meaning is an important psychological resource both in situations of achievement and in critical situations [ 19 ]. In fact, having meaning in life can help patients identify their goals for life and encourage them to learn how to improve their lifestyle [ 20 ].…”