PROBLEM-SOLVING APPRAISAL, HOPELESSNESS, AND SUICIDE IDEATION - EVIDENCE FOR A MEDIATIONAL MODEL

This study extended the research on D. Schotte and G. Clum's (1982, 19 87) theory of suicidal behavior by using structural equation modeling involving latent variables to evaluate whether the construct of hopele ssness mediates between the constructs of problem-solving appraisal an d suicide ideation. Participants in the study were 217 individuals in an intensive outpatient program targeting suicidal behavior in young a dults. The results indicated a significant direct effect for hopelessn ess in predicting suicidal ideation. Consistent with the mediational h ypothesis, the results also indicated a significant indirect effect fo r problem-solving appraisal (through its impact on hopelessness) in pr edicting suicidal ideation. The results not only replicate but also ex tend previous research by testing theory and increase the field's conc eptualization of suicide ideation and behavior.