Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

Suicide is a significant individual and societal health problem, particularly among young adults. Among this population, suicide is the second leading cause of death, and approximately 1.5% of college age individuals attempt suicide while 10% experience severe suicidal ideation. There also exists significant costs related to attempted suicides and suicide mortality. In 1991, for example, completed and attempted suicides accounted for over 70% of the $6.6 billion in costs related to gunshot wounds in Canada. Thus, the identification of evidence-based interventions that can prevent those at risk from committing suicide constitutes a critical public health task. Surprisingly, however, studies investigating preventative approaches to suicide have been notably sparse. In an effort to contribute to improved Canadian health, I thus seek to aid in filling a sizeable gap in Canadian health literature by offering a unique, constructive contribution to the field of suicide research. To this end, this study intends to explore the extent to which an intervention directed at fostering a future oriented time perspective can reduce suicidal ideation--thoughts of suicide that are a reliable precursor to suicide. Time perspective refers to how one conceptualizes and connects the past, present and future. It has been argued that suicide is largely an outcome of an unbalanced time perspective in which one may exhibit a narrow focus on the present and lack of orientation to the future. However, several studies have found a positive future orientation--comprised of a keen awareness of future consequences, an ability to envision and direct oneself towards future goals, and a positive mood concerning the future--to be a protective factor against suicide ideation and attempts. The current work will thus investigate whether a five-week Time Perspective Modification Intervention can increase positive future orientation, and in turn, reduce levels of suicide ideation amongst young adults.