Negative life events and suicide risk in college students: Conditional indirect effects of hopelessness and self-compassion

Abstract

Objective: Suicide risk is a significant public health concern for college students and may be exacerbated by hopelessness resulting from negative life events (NLE), yet may be ameliorated by self-compassion. We examined the mediating role of hopelessness in the relation between NLE and suicidal behavior, and the moderating influence of self-compassion on all model paths. Participants: Participants were 338 undergraduates (89% white; 67% female). Data were collected from December 2014 to December 2015. Methods: Participants completed the Life Events Checklist for College Students, Beck Hopelessness Inventory, Self-Compassion Scale, and Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised. Results: Negative life events were related to greater hopelessness and, in turn, to more suicidal behavior, yet self-compassion attenuated this effect. Conclusions: Self-compassion may buffer the NLE-hopelessness linkage, thereby reducing suicide risk among college students. Therapeutic promotion of self-compassion, and reduction of hopelessness, may be important suicide prevention strategies on college campuses.

Perfectionism, life stress, and suicidal ideation among college students: A protective role of self-compassion

“…This positive orientation toward self may ease the pain of negative self-evaluation and self-blame (Leary et al, 2007; Neff, 2003). Such potential roles of self-compassion is also in line with the suggestions made by a high volume of previous studies (Collett et al, 2016; Hirsch et al, 2021; Park & Lee, 2018; Rabon et al, 2018; You & Yoo, 2021). It may be inferred that alleviating harsh criticism towards oneself and developing a compassionate mindset is sensitive to pain and accepting one’s shortcomings (Jazaieri et al, 2014).…”

“…Third, the current finding suggests the potential of self-compassion as a protective factor that may be enhanced to protect the university students from suicidal ideation by feeling as if they do not make up for their idealized standards and face stress in life. Self-compassion involves being kind and understanding toward oneself in the face of failure, recognizing mistakes and failures as part of common humanity, and being mindful of painful thoughts and feelings (Hirsch et al, 2021). This positive orientation toward self may ease the pain of negative self-evaluation and self-blame (Leary et al, 2007; Neff, 2003).…”

“…Recent literature proposed several protective factors against suicidality, such as social support, self-esteem, school belongingness, and self-compassion (Choi, 2012; Hirsch et al, 2021). Of those protective factors, self-compassion has recently received more attention.…”

“…Positive psychology has not informed the current theory and research on maladaptive perfectionism and suicidal ideation (Hirsch et al, 2021). According to the Escape Theory (Baumeister, 1990), maladaptive perfectionists are likely to experience stress when they fail to fulfill their expectations and consequently experience suicidal thoughts as a means to escape from the pain of self-blame.…”

Yoğun Bakım Hemşirelerinde Ahlaki Duyarlılık, İş Motivasyonu ve Umutsuzluk Arasındaki İlişkinin Belirlenmesi

“…[33][34][35] Literatürde yoğun bakım hemşirelerinde umutsuzluk düzeylerinin değerlendirildiği herhangi bir çalışmaya rastlanmamakla birlikte umutsuzluğun daha çok kronik hastalık yaşayan, infertil olan ya da intihar riski bulunan kişilerde çalışıldığı görülmektedir. [36][37][38] Çalışmamızdan elde edilen sonuçlara göre hemşirelerin umutsuzlukları ve ahlaki duyarlılıkları arttıkça iş motivasyonları azalmaktadır. Nasrabadi ve ark.…”