How can self-confidence reduce suicidal ideation in survivors?
Self-confidence can play a significant role in reducing suicidal ideation among survivors by enhancing psychological resilience and increasing social support. Here’s how self-confidence contributes to this reduction:
Mechanisms of Self-Confidence in Reducing Suicidal Ideation
Social Support Mediation: Self-confidence is associated with higher levels of social support, which can mediate the relationship between confidence and reduced suicidal ideation. Individuals with greater self-confidence tend to report more robust social networks, which provide emotional and practical support, thereby lowering suicide risk (Smith et al., 2016).
Psychological Resilience: Self-confidence contributes to mental toughness, which includes the ability to cope with stress and adversity. This resilience can buffer against suicidal thoughts by fostering a positive mindset and achievement orientation, which are protective factors against suicide (Smith et al., 2016).
Self-Esteem and Suicidal Risk: Higher self-esteem, closely related to self-confidence, is inversely related to suicidal ideation and attempts. Individuals with higher self-esteem are less likely to experience suicidal thoughts, suggesting that interventions aimed at boosting self-esteem could be beneficial (Dat et al., 2022; Lippo et al., 2022).
Interventions and Protective Factors
Self-Esteem Interventions: Interventions that focus on enhancing self-esteem have shown small but significant effects in reducing suicidal ideation, suggesting that self-confidence-building activities could be integrated into therapeutic practices for survivors (Dat et al., 2022).
Optimism and Gratitude: Psychological strengths such as optimism and gratitude, which can be cultivated alongside self-confidence, have been shown to attenuate suicidal ideation, especially in high-risk groups like sexual assault survivors (Kumar et al., 2021; Huffman et al., 2016).
Conclusion
Self-confidence can reduce suicidal ideation by enhancing social support, building psychological resilience, and improving self-esteem. These factors collectively contribute to a lower risk of suicide among survivors. Interventions that focus on boosting self-confidence and related psychological strengths could be effective in mitigating suicidal thoughts.
How self-confidence reduces suicidal ideation in survivors – scientific proof
Dat, N., Mitsui, N., Asakura, S., Takanobu, K., Fujii, Y., Toyoshima, K., Kako, Y., & Kusumi, I. (2022). The Effectiveness of Self-Esteem-Related Interventions in Reducing Suicidal Behaviors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.925423
Smith, H., Wolfe-Clark, A., & Bryan, C. (2016). An Exploratory Study of the Mental Toughness Psychological Skills Profile Psychometrics, and the Mediating Effect of Social Support Sources on Mental Toughness and Suicidal Ideation Among Military Police. Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, 31, 295-303. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11896-016-9192-Y
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. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0001141
Lippo, F., Madeddu, F., Fornaro, M., Calati, R., Voros, V., Szabó, Z., Torma, E., Nagy, A., Fekete, J., Tényi, T., Fekete, S., Osvath, P., Peviani, G., Casu, D., Mansi, W., Prisco, M., & López-Castromán, J. (2022). The association between self-esteem and suicidal risk: a meta-analysis. European Psychiatry, 65, S835 – S835. https://doi.org/10.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.2162
Huffman, J., Boehm, J., Beach, S., Beale, E., Dubois, C., & Healy, B. (2016). Relationship of optimism and suicidal ideation in three groups of patients at varying levels of suicide risk.. Journal of psychiatric research, 77, 76-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2016.02.020
