Mediating Effects of Positive Thinking and Social Support on Suicide Resilience

Authors

Denise M. Matel-Anderson, Marquette UniversityFollow
Abir K. Bekhet, Marquette UniversityFollow
Mauricio Garnier-Villarreal, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Publication Date

2-20-2018

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Source Publication

Western Journal of Nursing Research

Source ISSN

0193-9459

Abstract

Suicide has been the second leading cause of death for 18- to 24-year-olds in the United States since 2011. The stress experienced by undergraduate college students has the potential to increase one’s risk for suicide. Resilience theory was used as a theoretical framework to examine the interplay between risk and protective factors. A cross-sectional and correlational design was used to assess the mediating effects of positive thinking and/or social support on suicide resilience in 131 college students 18 to 24 years old who completed an online survey. The study found an indirect effect of self-esteem on suicide resilience through positive thinking and social support indicating that as self-esteem increases, positive thinking and social support also increase, which leads to an increase in resilience. The study also found a direct effect of self-esteem, positive thinking, and social support on suicide resilience. The findings inform the development of tailored interventions to build suicide resilience in college students.

Comments

Accepted version. Western Journal of Nursing Research, Published online February 20, 2018. DOI. © 2018 SAGE Publications. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Matel-Anderson, Denise M.; Bekhet, Abir K.; and Garnier-Villarreal, Mauricio, "Mediating Effects of Positive Thinking and Social Support on Suicide Resilience" (2018). College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications. 554.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/nursing_fac/554