Positive Psychology and Suicide Prevention: An Introduction and Overview of the Literature

When and How Do Emotional Intelligence and Flourishing Protect against Suicide Risk in Adolescent Bullying Victims?

“…Although our preliminary findings are theory-driven and accord with previous studies showing that EI is related to positive mental health, well-being, and decreased suicide risk among victimized adolescents [13,27,31], it remains impossible to rule out the potential influences among variables. The preliminary results of the current study suggest the fruitfulness of using positive strategies to reduce the impact of bullying victimization on suicide risk [24,48]. However, longitudinal designs are required to provide a more rigorous test for our hypothesized model so that conclusions about causality in studied relationships are drawn.…”

“…Despite the importance paid to risk factors that might be associated with suicide risk among victimized adolescents, previous studies have shown that the associations between victimization and internalizing problems are not absolute, which suggests that not all victimized adolescents are at the same risk for poor mental health [8]. A recent line of research has begun to consider the potential benefits of addressing a more positive psychological perspective to increase well-being in order to prevent suicide risk [24]. The impairing process that bullying victimization represents for adolescents’ health leads to a need for evidence on the individual factors that might promote well-being and protect bullying victims against suicide risk.…”

“…Despite the growing evidence on the relationship between EI and decreased suicide risk among bullying victims, literature on the positive mechanisms linking these variables is still limited. According to the need of adopting a positive psychology approach in the prevention of suicide risk [24], there is a dimension that may contribute to explaining the decreased suicide risk rates associated with bullying victimization, reflecting positive mental well-being, namely flourishing [32,33]. According to Keyes’ framework, this variable is conceptualized as a combination of emotional, psychological, and social well-being [33].…”

“…Despite the great amount of attention paid to incidences of traditional bullying and its various consequences in different geographic areas, settings, and cultures [47], there are several avenues to be addressed in the current literature on school bullying. Considering a more positive psychology perspective regarding school health and well-being appears to be crucial so that more effective positive prevention strategies can be developed [24].…”

“…Finally, there is a need to consider research showing that the results of bullying interventions within schools are discrete in terms of efficacy [48]. Thus, our results may provide useful evidence to be used in designing more effective strategies to reduce the impact of victimization on suicide risk [24,48].…”