Forgiveness and Suicidal Behavior: Cynicism and Psychache as Serial Mediators

ABSTRACT

Research is burgeoning regarding the beneficial association of forgiveness with numerous health-related outcomes; however, its particular relationship to suicidal behavior has received relatively little attention. Both cynicism and psychache, or agonizing psychological pain, have displayed deleterious associations with suicidal behavior, but have rarely been incorporated into more comprehensive models of suicidal behavior. Consistent with the recent development of a theoretical model regarding the forgiveness–suicidal behavior association, the present study utilized an undergraduate sample of college students (N = 312) to test a mediation-based model of the cross-sectional association of forgiveness with suicidal behavior, as serially mediated by cynicism and psychache. Dispositional forgiveness of self and forgiveness of uncontrollable situations were each indirectly associated with less suicidal behavior via less psychache. Also, dispositional forgiveness of others was indirectly associated with less suicidal behavior via less cynicism and less psychache, in a serial fashion. The present results are consistent with the extent literature on the forgiveness–suicidal behavior association, cynicism, and psychache, and pending future studies, may be utilized to inform further treatment efforts for individuals at a high risk of attempting suicide.

KEYWORDS:

• College students
• cynicism
• forgiveness
• psychache
• suicidal behavior

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Trever J. Dangel

Trever J. Dangel is a doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology PhD program at East Tennessee State University. His research primarily focuses on spirituality and related factors, and their association with negative affective states and health-related outcomes.

Jon R. Webb

Jon R. Webb is an associate professor and director of the Addictive Disorders and Recovery Studies Program at Texas Tech University. His research primarily focuses on the relationship between multidimensional forgiveness and addiction, in addition to general associations between spirituality and health-related outcomes.

Jameson K. Hirsch

Jameson K. Hirsch is an associate professor of psychology and director of the Laboratory of Resilience in Psychological and Physical Health at East Tennessee State University. His research primarily focuses on suicide prevention, and applications of positive psychology to mental and physical health and well-being.