Resilience as positive coping appraisals: Testing the schematic appraisals model of suicide (SAMS)

Citation

Johnson J, Gooding PA, Wood AM & Tarrier N (2010) Resilience as positive coping appraisals: Testing the schematic appraisals model of suicide (SAMS). Behaviour Research and Therapy, 48 (3), pp. 179-186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2009.10.007

Abstract
Aims: The Schematic Appraisals Model of Suicide (SAMS) suggests that positive self-appraisals may be important for buffering suicidal thoughts and behaviours, potentially providing a key source of resilience. The current study aimed to explore whether positive self-appraisals buffered individuals from suicidality in the face of stressful life events. Method: 78 participants who reported experiencing some degree of suicidality were recruited from a student population. They completed a battery of questionnaires including measures of suicidality, stressful life events and positive self-appraisals. Results: Positive self-appraisals moderated the association between stressful life events and suicidality. For those reporting moderate or high levels of positive self-appraisals, raised incidence of stressful life events did not lead to increases in suicidality. Discussion: These results support the SAMS framework, and suggest that positive self-appraisals may confer resilience to suicide. Positive self-appraisals may be a promising avenue for further resilience research, and an important area to target for suicide interventions.

Keywords
Resilience; Hardiness; Positive appraisals; Life events; Suicide; Young adults; Applied psychology; Psychology; Positive Psychology

Journal
Behaviour Research and Therapy: Volume 48, Issue 3