Embracing Creativity as Suicide Alternative
Embracing creativity as an alternative to suicide involves understanding the complex relationship between creativity, mental health, and societal factors. Research has explored various dimensions of how creativity can influence suicidality, both positively and negatively.
Creativity as a Protective Factor
Flow and Purpose: Engaging in creative activities can foster a state of flow, which is associated with increased hope, purpose in life, and resilience. This state of flow has been shown to significantly mediate the relationship between creativity and reduced suicide risk, as it enhances a sense of purpose, which is crucial in lowering suicide risk among both art majors and non-art majors (Hallaert, 2018).
Qualitative Approaches: In refugee communities, creative methods in research have been suggested as a means to better understand and address suicidality. These methods can uncover the sociocultural dimensions of suicide, offering culturally safe support models that go beyond traditional medical approaches (Lenette, 2023).
Creativity and Suicide Risk
Creative Capital and Suicide: There is evidence suggesting a positive association between creative capital and suicide rates. Communities developing around a creative capital model may experience increased suicide rates, indicating potential negative consequences of this economic development approach (Moore, Recker and Heirigs, 2014; Heirigs, Moore and Recker, 2017).
Creative Achievement and Suicidal Ideation: High levels of creative achievement, particularly in fields like architectural design, have been linked to significant suicidal ideation. This suggests that while creativity can be protective, it can also be associated with increased risk in certain contexts (Drapeau and DeBrule, 2013).
Attitudes and Sociocultural Perspectives
Attitudinal Differences: Highly creative individuals often have more liberal and less judgmental attitudes towards suicide. This includes greater agreement with concepts like the right to die and viewing suicide as a normal or aggressive act, which may influence their perception and approach to suicidality (Domino, 1988).
Problem Solving and Ideation: Creative problem-solving abilities, particularly in generating solutions, are correlated with suicide ideation. This suggests that while creative thinking can be beneficial, it may also lead to increased awareness of problems without solutions, potentially heightening suicide risk (Mraz and Runco, 1994).
In conclusion, while creativity can serve as a protective factor against suicide by fostering flow and purpose, it also presents risks, particularly in high-achievement contexts or when associated with certain economic models. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing effective interventions and support systems.
References
Moore, M., Recker, N., & Heirigs, M., 2014. Suicide and the Creative Class. Social Indicators Research, 119, pp. 1613-1626. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11205-013-0566-6
Hallaert, J., 2018. Creativity as a Protective Factor to Suicidality. **.
Lenette, C., 2023. Suicide Research with Refugee Communities: The Case for a Qualitative, Sociocultural, and Creative Approach. Social Sciences. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12110637
Mraz, W., & Runco, M., 1994. Suicide ideation and creative problem solving.. Suicide & life-threatening behavior, 24 1, pp. 38-47. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1943-278X.1994.TB00661.X
Drapeau, C., & DeBrule, D., 2013. The Relationship of Hypomania, Creativity, and Suicidal Ideation in Undergraduates. Creativity Research Journal, 25, pp. 75 – 79. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400419.2013.752231
Domino, G., 1988. Attitudes toward suicide among highly creative college students. Creativity Research Journal, 1, pp. 92-105. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400418809534291
Heirigs, M., Moore, M., & Recker, N., 2017. Suicide and the Creative Class: A Cross-National Examination. Deviant Behavior, 38, pp. 917 – 927. https://doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2016.1206732
Practicing Gratitude as a Suicide Alternative
Gratitude, defined as the appreciation of positive aspects of life, has been increasingly studied as a potential protective factor against suicidal ideation and behavior. This research explores the mechanisms through which gratitude may reduce suicide risk and its effectiveness as an intervention.
Protective Mechanisms of Gratitude
Psychosocial Well-being: Gratitude is associated with improved psychosocial well-being and decreased psychopathology, which in turn reduces suicide risk. It positively influences factors such as hopelessness, depression, social support, and substance misuse, thereby mitigating suicidal thoughts and behaviors (Kaniuka et al., 2020; Kaniuka et al., 2020; Kleiman et al., 2013).
Meaning in Life: Gratitude, along with traits like grit, enhances the sense of meaning in life, which serves as a resilience factor against suicide. Individuals with high levels of gratitude and grit report fewer suicidal ideations over time (Kleiman et al., 2013).
Interpersonal Functioning: Gratitude improves interpersonal functioning by fostering social support and reducing depressive symptoms, which are critical in lowering suicidal ideation, especially among vulnerable groups such as sexual minorities and veterans (Kaniuka et al., 2020; Umucu et al., 2021).
Effectiveness of Gratitude Interventions
Clinical and Non-Clinical Populations: Gratitude interventions have shown promise in both clinical settings, such as psychiatric hospitals, and non-clinical settings, like among college students and internet users with high suicidal ideation. These interventions can effectively reduce suicidal thoughts by enhancing gratitude and related positive emotions (Schnitker et al., 2021; Sueki and Ishikawa, 2021; Krysińska, 2018).
Feasibility and Utility: Studies indicate that gratitude interventions are feasible and can be effectively implemented as part of suicide prevention strategies. They are particularly useful for individuals who may not have access to traditional psychiatric care (Sueki and Ishikawa, 2021).
Challenges and Future Directions
Mediating Factors: While gratitude is linked to reduced suicidal ideation, its effects can be mediated by factors such as self-esteem and coping efficacy. The impact of gratitude is more pronounced in individuals experiencing fewer stressful life events (Li et al., 2012).
Research Gaps: Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of gratitude interventions and to identify the most effective ways to cultivate gratitude in diverse populations. Understanding the interaction between gratitude and other protective factors could enhance the development of comprehensive suicide prevention programs (Krysińska et al., 2015).
In conclusion, gratitude emerges as a significant protective factor against suicide, offering a promising avenue for intervention. By fostering positive emotions and enhancing meaning in life, gratitude can play a crucial role in reducing suicidal ideation and behavior across various populations.
References
Schnitker, S., Currier, J., Abernethy, A., Witvliet, v., Foster, J., Luna, L., VanHarn, K., & Carter, J., 2021. Gratitude and Patience Moderate Meaning Struggles and Suicidal Risk in a Cross-Sectional Study of Inpatients at a Christian Psychiatric Hospital.. Journal of personality. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12644
Kaniuka, A., Rabon, J., Brooks, B., Sirois, F., Kleiman, E., & Hirsch, J., 2020. Gratitude and suicide risk among college students: Substantiating the protective benefits of being thankful. Journal of American College Health, 69, pp. 660 – 667. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2019.1705838
Kleiman, E., Adams, L., Kashdan, T., & Riskind, J., 2013. Gratitude and grit indirectly reduce risk of suicidal ideations by enhancing meaning in life: Evidence for a mediated moderation model. Journal of Research in Personality, 47, pp. 539-546. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JRP.2013.04.007
Kaniuka, A., Job, S., Brooks, B., & Williams, S., 2020. Gratitude and lower suicidal ideation among sexual minority individuals: theoretical mechanisms of the protective role of attention to the positive. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 16, pp. 819 – 830. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2020.1818814
Sueki, H., & Ishikawa, K., 2021. The feasibility and utility of gratitude intervention for suicidal internet users. **. https://doi.org/10.31234/OSF.IO/VZCU2
Kleiman, E., Adams, L., Kashdan, T., & Riskind, J., 2013. Grateful individuals are not suicidal: Buffering risks associated with hopelessness and depressive symptoms. Personality and Individual Differences, 55, pp. 595-599. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PAID.2013.05.002
Krysińska, K., 2018. Gratitude as a Protective Factor for Suicidal Ideation and Behaviour: The Theory and the Evidence Base. **, pp. 89-110. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03225-8_5
Umucu, E., Lo, C., Lee, B., Vargas-Medrano, J., Diaz-Pacheco, V., Misra, K., Martin, S., Thompson, P., & Gadad, B., 2021. Is Gratitude Associated With Suicidal Ideation in Veterans With Mental Illness and Student Veterans With PTSD Symptoms?. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 210, pp. 26 – 31. https://doi.org/10.1097/NMD.0000000000001406
Krysińska, K., Lester, D., Lyke, J., & Corveleyn, J., 2015. Trait gratitude and suicidal ideation and behavior: an exploratory study.. Crisis, 36 4, pp. 291-6. https://doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910/a000320
Li, D., Zhang, W., Li, X., Li, N., & Ye, B., 2012. Gratitude and suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among Chinese adolescents: direct, mediated, and moderated effects.. Journal of adolescence, 35 1, pp. 55-66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2011.06.005
