USE OF DIFFERENT SOURCES OF STRESS TO PREDICT HOPELESSNESS AND SUICIDE IDEATION IN A COLLEGE POPULATION

This investigation expands on past research by (a) evaluating differing sources of stress (negative life events and hassles) as predictors of both hopelessness and suicide ideation and (b) testing for the mediating role of hopelessness. In Study 1, 143 introductory psychology students completed measures of negative life events, hassles, and hopelessness. Hassles accounted for a unique increment in hopelessness scores after negative life events were controlled for statistically. In Study 2, 250 introductory psychology students completed measures of negative life events, hassles, hopelessness, and suicide ideation. The results of Study 2 replicate and extend those of Study 1; hassles accounted for unique increments in both hopelessness and suicide ideation scores after negative life events were controlled for statistically. In addition, the results of Study 2 suggest that hopelessness mediates the relation between stress and suicidal thoughts.