Year: 2007 Source: Cognitive Therapy and Research, v.31, no.4, (August 2007), p.533-546 SIEC No: 20080387

This study examined the moderating effect of dispositional optimism on the relationship between negative life experiences & suicide ideation & attempts in a college student sample. Negative life events were associated with current suicide ideation & previous suicide attempts, & dispositional optimism moderated these relationships, after controlling for hopelessness & severity of depression. Individuals with greater optimism have reduced risk for suicide ideation & attempts in the face of low to moderate negative life events; however, this association is changed at the highest levels of negative life events. (56 refs.)