The role of hope, gratitude and forgiveness in suicidality from early adolescence to emerging adulthood

Much of the research to date regarding suicidality has concentrated on its causes, and although some research has looked at positive psychological traits, there are no longitudinal studies comparing development of positive psychological traits in adolescents as protective factors for later suicidal behavior in emerging adults. The current study seeks to examine potential links between positive psychological traits developed in early adolescence and suicide risk in emerging adulthood. Participants included 321 adolescents who completed a number of questionnaires almost a decade apart. Results showed higher levels of hope in early adolescence predicted lower levels of suicidality later on. Early levels of gratitude and forgiveness were not associated with later suicidality. Our findings suggest that increasing programs that seek to target the development of hope in adolescence could decrease suicidality in emerging adulthood. By identifying hope as a protective factor against suicidality, our study may help clinicians and researchers identify individuals who are at increased risk of suicidality.Impact StatementThis study offers new longitudinal evidence that hope formed in early adolescence can help protect against suicidality later in life. By showing that hope, rather than gratitude or forgiveness, predicts lower suicide risk in emerging adulthood, the findings point to a clear target for early prevention efforts. These results may help guide clinicians and researchers in identifying at-risk youth and developing programs that strengthen hope during the adolescent years.