Examining Highly Novel Positive Future Thinking in Suicidal and Nonsuicidal Adolescents

Objective Although traditionally considered protective, certain forms of positive future thinking (PFT) may be associated with greater suicide risk. In this first a priori investigation of potential maladaptive forms of PFT, we tested whether novelty (i.e., dissimilarity to past experiences) and lack of attainment of the imagined positive future may explain counterintuitive associations between PFT and suicidal ideation (SI).