The Impact of Grit on the Relationship Between Hopelessness and Suicidality

Researchers have recently emphasized the need to develop a greater understanding of factors and contexts that facilitate the progression from suicidal thoughts to suicidal behavior. Hopelessness has been implicated in numerous studies as one of the primary cognitive vulnerabilities associated with heightened suicide risk. This study aimed to address the extent to which grit moderates the association between hopelessness and both suicidal ideation and resolved plans and preparations for suicide within an understudied and high-risk population of United States military personnel. Results were consistent with the authors' hypotheses. Specifically, the relationship between hopelessness and current suicidal ideation decreased in magnitude at higher levels of grit. Similarly, whereas the relationship between hopelessness and resolved plans and preparations for suicide was significant and positive at low levels of grit, it was nonsignificant at mean levels of grit and significant and negative at high levels of grit. Overall, these results highlight grit as a potential protective factor against suicidal ideation and resolved plans and preparations, even in individuals experiencing elevated levels of hopelessness. The conditional nature of the relationship between hopelessness and both outcomes further highlights the need to consider contextual factors that extend beyond main effects models. These findings may contribute to the advancement of suicide research, prevention, and intervention methods by providing more clarity on trait and contextual risk factors that differentiate individuals who do and do not develop proximal risk factors for suicide.