How can new sense of life reduce suicidal ideation in survivors?

A new sense of life, characterized by optimism, gratitude, and meaningful engagement, can significantly reduce suicidal ideation in survivors by fostering resilience and providing protective psychological factors.

Key Protective Factors

Optimism and Gratitude

These psychological strengths can attenuate the link between posttraumatic stress and suicidal ideation. High levels of optimism and gratitude can eliminate the significant association between stress and suicidal thoughts, suggesting that interventions aimed at boosting these traits may be beneficial for survivors (Kumar et al., 2021).

Life Meaning and Social Activities

A strong sense of life meaning and involvement in social activities are negatively correlated with suicidal ideation. Adolescents who engage in social activities report lower levels of suicidal thoughts, depression, and anxiety, indicating that fostering a sense of purpose and community can be protective (Aviad-Wilchek et al., 2017).

Effective Coping Strategies

Distraction and Positive Activities

Strategies such as keeping busy, socializing, and engaging in positive thinking are effective in reducing the intensity of suicidal thoughts. These activities help individuals manage their ideation by shifting focus and promoting positive emotions (Stanley et al., 2020).

Mindfulness and Perspective

Although less effective than distraction strategies, mindfulness-oriented approaches like finding perspective and calming oneself can also contribute to reducing suicidal ideation (Stanley et al., 2020).

Therapeutic Interventions

Psychoeducation

This approach helps survivors understand and manage their emotional pain, facilitating the integration of loss and reducing suicidal thoughts. It provides a supportive environment for survivors to share experiences and normalize their reactions (Berardelli et al., 2020).

Cognitive and Compassion-Focused Therapies

These therapies have shown effectiveness in reducing suicidal ideation by addressing cognitive distortions and enhancing emotional regulation, particularly in survivors of trauma and intimate partner violence (Van Bentum et al., 2021; Daneshvar et al., 2020).

Conclusion

A new sense of life, cultivated through optimism, gratitude, meaningful engagement, and effective coping strategies, can significantly reduce suicidal ideation in survivors. Interventions that enhance these protective factors and provide supportive therapeutic environments are crucial in helping survivors manage their thoughts and emotions, ultimately reducing the risk of suicide.

A new sense of life in scientific studies

Kumar, S., Jaffe, A., Brock, R., & DiLillo, D. (2021). Resilience to suicidal ideation among college sexual assault survivors: The protective role of optimism and gratitude in the context of posttraumatic stress.. Psychological trauma : theory, research, practice and policy.

Stanley, B., Martínez-Alés, G., Gratch, I., Rizk, M., Galfalvy, H., Choo, T., & Mann, J. (2020). Coping strategies that reduce suicidal ideation: An ecological momentary assessment study.. Journal of psychiatric research, 133, 32-37.

Van Bentum, J., Van Bronswijk, S., Sijbrandij, M., Lemmens, L., Peeters, F., Drukker, M., & Huibers, M. (2021). Cognitive therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy reduce suicidal ideation independent from their effect on depression. Depression and Anxiety, 38, 940 – 949.

Aviad-Wilchek, Y., Ne’eman-Haviv, V., & Malka, M. (2017). Connection between Suicidal Ideation, Life Meaning, and Leisure Time Activities. Deviant Behavior, 38, 621 – 632.

Berardelli, I., Erbuto, D., Rogante, E., Sarubbi, S., Lester, D., & Pompili, M. (2020). Making Sense of the Unique Pain of Survivors: A Psychoeducational Approach for Suicide Bereavement. Frontiers in Psychology, 11.

Daneshvar, S., Shafiei, M., & Basharpoor, S. (2020). Compassion-Focused Therapy: Proof of Concept Trial on Suicidal Ideation and Cognitive Distortions in Female Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence With PTSD. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 37, NP9613 – NP9634. Compassion-Focused Therapy: Proof of Concept Trial on Suicidal Ideation and Cognitive Distortions in Female Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence With PTSD