Hope and suicidal ideation and behaviour

Understanding the factors that protect against suicidal ideation and behaviour may strengthen our ability to identify and support those at risk of death by suicide, above and beyond that which is possible by focusing solely on risk factors. A factor that may confer protection against the development of suicidal ideation and behaviour is hope, a future orientated construct that features within recent theories of suicide. Here, we provide an overview of the literature examining the role of hope in moderating and mediating the relationship between suicide risk factors and suicide ideation and behaviour. Evidence suggests that hope may be important in buffering against suicide ideation and behaviour across different population. Limitations and recommendation for future research are also discussed.