Hope As a Buffer to Suicide Attempts Among Adolescents with Depression.

BACKGROUND: Suicide among adolescents has long been linked to symptoms of depression. However, limited research has examined the potential buffering effect of hope on the relationship between depression and suicide attempts. METHODS: To test the effect of hope on the positive relationship between depression and suicide attempts, we used data (N = 502 adolescents) from youth ages 12-18 collected as part of the 2018 Healthy Youth Survey in the State of Washington. Based on hope theory, we hypothesized a "buffering" form of moderation, with the presence of greater hope weakening the positive relationship between depression and suicide attempts. In other words, with higher hope, adolescents reporting depressive symptoms are less inclined to attempt suicide. RESULTS: Testing the moderating effect of hope via bootstrap resampling (N = 5000), the results indicated adolescents' hope levels indeed buffered the relationship between depressive symptoms and self-reported suicide attempts. To wit, when adolescents' hope was low, there was a significant, robust, and positive relationship between depressive symptoms and suicide attempts (b = 0.2644, 95% CI [0.1604, 0.3683], t = 5.0, p < .001). However, when adolescents' hope was high, there was no longer a significant relationship between depressive symptoms and suicide attempts (b = 0.0304, 95% CI [-0.997, 0.1605], t = 0.4590, p = .65). CONCLUSION: The buffering effect of hope was validated in a second, larger sample (n = 9308) of adolescents. This result suggests the potential utility of hope theory-based interventions to assist depressed adolescents reduce their likelihood of suicide.

Nurturing Hope and Well-Being Among Survivors of Domestic Violence Within the Family Justice Center Model.

Family Justice Centers (FJCs) represent a multi-disciplinary coordinated approach co-located to serve survivors of domestic violence. This study examined the change in hope and well-being among 130 survivors receiving domestic violence services through seven FJCs. Using a pretest, posttest design, Analyses of Variance results indicated that survivors exhibited robust increases in hope, emotional well-being, and flourishing. Correlational analyses showed that survivor defined goal success has important relationships with hope and well-being. Finally, hierarchical regression analyses revealed hope contributed unique variance of survivor flourishing over-and-above survivor defined success and emotional well-being. These findings are discussed in the context that hope may be an important coping resource for survivors of domestic violence and offers a common conceptual framework for FJCs.

A Structural Model of Adverse Childhood Experiences as Antecedents of Rumination Leading to Lower Hope.

Hope is well established within the positive psychology literature as a construct associated with psychological well-being. Recent research has also linked experiences of childhood trauma with lower hope into adulthood. Snyder's hope theory explains this link by suggesting that rumination, as a byproduct of trauma, limits survivors' ability to focus on present day goals, thereby lowering hope. To test this proposed link between childhood trauma and lower hope, we conducted two studies using independent samples of adults living in the United States (Study 1: N' = 258; Study 2: N' = 374). Per Snyder, the studies modeled childhood trauma as a driver of rumination leading to lower hope. The results of Study 1 indicated that a "full mediation" model, directly representing Snyder's theory, produced good fit (χ2 = 254.02, p > .001; df = 131); root mean square error approximation (RMSEA) = .06 (90% confidence interval [CI]: .049, .072); standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) = .055; comparative fit index (CFI): .927. A subsequent bootstrapping analysis (N = 5,000) validated the full mediation model. Study 2 provided identical results, indicating again that a full mediation model of the variables produced good fit. The data from both studies was consistent with Snyder's understanding of the link between trauma and lower hope. The article concludes with a discussion of the studies' implications, particularly how the data supports interventions, such as meditation, that may work to help buffer the ruminating impacts of childhood trauma.

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Trust in the Medical Profession among Young Adults.

Attachment theory suggests that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) should predict lower trust in the medical profession. To test this theory, a cross-sectional survey was administered to young adults self-identifying as homeless. The purpose of the survey was to examine the relationship of ACEs, attachment style, and trust in the medical profession. Hierarchical linear regression was used to determine if ACEs predict variance in trust in the medical profession after controlling for participants' attachment style and demographics. Results indicated ACEs were a robust predictor of lower trust in the medical profession over the controls. Since lower trust in the medical profession is associated with less willingness to seek care and follow provider recommendations, the established link between poorer health and ACEs may partially result from lower trust in the medical profession. The paper concludes with a discussion of the results' implications for future research and practice with ACE survivors.