E-ISSN : 2733-4538
In this study we conceptualized the psychological process of suicide as a type of decision whether to continue an experience and tried to identify the main judgment factors involved in suicide decision making. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the evaluation of present and past experiences and future prediction, and how each one affects suicide decision. For this purpose, 128 undergraduate and graduate students were randomly assigned to two types of scenarios. Each scenario described adverse or favorable past life experiences while present and future conditions are the same. The results of this study were as follows: first, among past life satisfaction, current pain severity, and positive future expectation, the most relevant variable affecting the choice to die was positive future expectation. Second, current pain severity predicted the choice to die only under adverse past life conditions. Similarly, past life satisfaction and current pain severity showed significant correlation with positive future expectation, only under adverse past life conditions. Third, past life satisfaction did not predict the choice to die. The results of this study suggest that suicide decision making is based on two judgments - evaluation of experience and future prediction. The future predictions or suicide decisions of those who had a lot of adversity in their past lives may be influenced by how they assess the pain they face in the suicide crisis. Additionally, the results suggest that positive expectations for the future are the most important variables that inhibit suicide decisions.
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