Psychological and Social Pain in Prediction of Suicidality as a Societal and Adult Educational Challenge

This article refers to the topic of psychological (mental/emotional) and social pain in the prediction of suicidality (suicide and its associated behaviors) as an extraordinarily complex and pressing societal and adult educational challenge. The aim of this review article is to present a literature review of the current picture of the evidence regarding the impact of psychological and social pain on suicidal behavior as a societal and adult educational problem. Currently known biological factors are weak predictors of future suicidal behaviors. Psychological pain is a transdiagnostic significant predictive factor of suicidality, even in the absence of a diagnosed depression. Psychological pain has been rarely evaluated or examined in routine practice for suicide reduction. A valid tool to measure social pain is a necessary step in decreasing and minimizing rates of suicidal behavior in an at risk population of socially excluded adults. Additional practical implications for the impact of psychological and social pain on suicidality prediction in the settings of adult education are highly and urgently recommended. The hypothetical impact of different social factors (e.g., immigration status, gender, multiple psychoactive substance use as social norms, general self-efficacy) on the experience of psychological pain will be studied by mixed methods research in the field of sociology in an at risk population of socially excluded adults.