The lived experience and impact of compassion for others in undergraduate students’ recovery from suicidal ideation

Suicide is a leading cause of death for undergraduate students, with there being a crucial need to understand sources of suicide prevention for this population. While the benefits of compassion toward others appear to align with the psychological targets of recovery from suicidal ideation, little is known about the potential role of compassion for others in undergraduate students’ recovery process. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experience and impact of compassion toward others, as it relates to undergraduate students’ recovery from suicidal thinking. We interviewed six undergraduate students about their experiences of compassion toward others and its impact on recovery. Using data analyses methods from interpretative phenomenological analysis, six superordinate themes emerged, including: sense of meaning and purpose, reciprocity, positive self-concept, non-judgement and acceptance, social connection, and the cost of compassion. Implications for counseling, limitations, and future directions for research are discussed.