Skip to main content
Search
Search
    Quick Search anywhere
    Quick search in Citations
Advanced Search
Skip main navigationClose Drawer MenuOpen Drawer Menu
Previous article
Next article
Research Trends

Addressing Suicidal Ideations Through the Realization of Meaningful Personal Goals

Published Online:January 01, 2007https://doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910.28.1.16

Abstract

Abstract. A personal goal intervention program was offered to early retirees aged 50 to 65 years with the objective of increasing their subjective well-being. The program was aimed at helping the participants set, plan, pursue, and realize their personal goals. A subsample of 21 participants with suicidal ideas was identified from a larger sample (N = 354) of retirees living in the community who took part in the study to evaluate the program. The experimental (n = 10) and control (n = 11) groups were compared on their answers to 16 goal and psychological well-being questionnaires. By the end of the program, the experimental group had improved significantly more than the control group on hope, goal realization process, serenity, flexibility, and positive attitude toward retirement. The levels of depression and psychological distress significantly decreased. These gains were maintained 6 months later. The positive results obtained from this study could lead to an innovative way to help people with suicidal ideations.

References

  • Beck, A.T., Rush, A.J., Shaw, B.F., Emery, G. (1979). Cognitive therapy of depression. New York: Guilford First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Bertolote, J.M., Fleischmann, A., De Leo, D., Wasserman, D. (2003). Suicide and mental disorders: Do we know enough?. British Journal of Psychiatry, 183, 382–383 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Bille-Brahe, U,, Jensen, B. (2004). The importance of social support. In D. De Leo, U. Bille-Brahe, A. Kerkhof, & A. Schmidtke (Eds.), Suicidal behavior: Theories and research findings (pp. 197-208). Cambridge, MA: Hogrefe & Huber First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Bouffard, L. (2000). Nouvelles interventions basées sur l'approche des buts personnels [New interventions based on the personal goals approach]. Revue Québécoise de Psychologie, 21, 101–113 First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Bouffard, L., Bastin, ;., Lapierre, S., Dubé, M. (2001). La gestion des buts personnels: Un apprentissage significatif pour les étudiants universitaires [Management of personal goals: A learning process for university students]. Revue des Sciences de l';ducation, 27, 503–522 First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Bouffard, L., Lapierre, S. (1997). La mesure du bonheur [The measure of happiness]. Revue Québécoise de Psychologie, 18, 271–310 First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Brandtstädter, J., Renner, G. (1990). Tenacious goal poursuit and flexible goal adjustment. Psychology and Aging, 5, 58–67 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Brandtstädter, J., Rothermund, K. (2002). The life-course dynamics of goal pursuit and goal adjustment: A two-process framework. Developmental Review, 22, 117–150 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Brandtstädter, J., Rothermund, K., Schmitz, U. (1997). Coping resources in later life. European Review of Applied Psychology, 47, 107–113 First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Brunstein, J.E. (1993). Personal goals and subjective well-being: A longitudinal study. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 65, 1061–1070 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Butterworth, P., Gill, S.C., Rodgers, B., Anstey, K.J., Villamil, E., Melzer, D. (2006). Retirement and mental health: Analysis of the Australian national survey of mental health and well-being. Social Science and Medicine, 62, 1179–1191 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Chiu, H.F.K., Takahashi, Y., Suh, G.H. (2003). Elderly suicide prevention in East Asia. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 18, 973–976 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1997). Finding flow: The psychology of engagement in everyday life. New York: Basic Books First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • De Leo, D. (2002). Why are we not getting any closer to preventing suicide?. British Journal of Psychiatry, 181, 372–374 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • De Leo, D., Bille-Brahe, U., Kerkhof, A., Schmidtke, A. Eds. (2004). Suicidal behavior. Theories and research findings. Cambridge, MA: Hogrefe & Huber First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • De Leo, D., Scocco, P. (2000). Treatment and prevention of suicidal behavior in the elderly. In K. Hawton & K. Van Heeringen (Eds.), The international handbook of suicide and attempted suicide (pp. 555-570). Toronto: Wiley First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Dervic, K., Oquendo, M.A., Grunebaum, M.F., Ellis, S., Burke, A.K., Mann, J.J. (2004). Religious affiliation and suicide attempt. American Journal of Psychiatry, 161, 2303–2308 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Diener, E. (1994). Assessing subjective well-being: Progress and opportunities. Social Indicators Research, 28, 35–89 First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Dubé, M., Lapierre, S., Bouffard, L., Alain, M. in press Impact of a personal goals management program on the subjective well-being of young retirees. European Review of Applied Psychology, First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Dubé, M., Lapierre, S., Bouffard, L., Labelle, R. (2000). Le bien-être psychologique par les gestion des buts personnels: Une intervention de groupe auprès des retraités [Psychological well-being through the management of personal goals: A group intervention with retirees]. Revue Québécoise de Psychologie, 21, 255–280 First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Edwards, M.J., Holden, R.R. (2001). Coping, meaning in life, and suicidal manifestations: Examining gender differences. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 57, 1517–1534 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Emmons, R.A. (2003). Personal goals, life meaning, and virtue: Wellsprings of a positive life. In C.L.M. Keyes & J. Haidt (Eds.), Flourishing: Positive psychology and the life well-lived (pp. 105-128). Washington: American Psychological Association First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Emmons, R.A., Colby, P.M., Kaiser, H.A. (1998). When losses lead to gains: Personal goals and the recovery of meaning. In P.T.P. Wong & P.S. Fry (Eds.), The human quest for meaning: A handbook of psychological research and clinical applications (pp. 163-178). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Freeman, A., Reinecke, M.A. (1993). Cognitive therapy of suicidal behavior. A manual for treatment. New York: Springer-Verlag First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Gallo, W.T., et al., (2006). The persistence of depressive symptoms in older workers who experience involuntary job loss: Results from the health and retirement survey. Journals of Gerontology Series B - Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 61, S221–S228 First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Hawton, K., Arensman, E., Townsend, E., Bremner, S., Feldman, E., Goldney, R., et al., (1998). Deliberate self-harm: Systematic review of efficacity of psychosocial and pharmacological treatments in preventing repetition. British Medical Journal, 317, 441–447 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Hawton, K., van Heeringen, K. Eds. (2000). The international handbook of suicide and attempted suicide. New York: Wiley First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Heisel, M.J., Flett, G.L. (2004). Purpose in life, satisfaction with life, and suicide ideation in a clinical sample. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 26, 127–135 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Hepp, U., Wittmann, L., Schnyder, U., Michel, K. (2004). Psychological and psychosocial interventions after attempted suicide. An overview of treatment studies. Crisis, 25, 108–117 First citation in articleLink, Google Scholar

  • Holahan, C.K. (1988). Relation of life goals at age 70 to activity participation and health and psychological well-being among Terman's gifted men and women. Psychology and Aging, 3, 286–291 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Ilfeld, F.W. (1976). Further validation of a psychiatric symptom index in a normal population. Psychological Reports, 39, 1215–1228 First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Jenkins, R., Singh, B. (2000). General population strategies of suicide prevention. In K. Hawton & K. van Heeringen (Eds.), The international handbook of suicide and attempted suicide (pp. 598-615). New York: Wiley First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Jobes, D.A., Mann, R.E. (1999). Reasons for living versus reasons for dying: Examining the internal debate of suicide. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 29, 97–104 First citation in articleMedline, Google Scholar

  • Jonsson, H., Borell', L., Gaynor, S. (2000). Retirement: An occupational transition with consequences for temporality, balance, and meaning of occupations. Journal of Occupational Science, 7, 29–37 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Jungmeen, E.K., Moen, P. (2001). Moving into retirement: Preparation and transition in late midlife. In M.E. Lachman (Ed.), Handbook of midlife development (pp. 487-527). New York: Wiley First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Keyes, C.L.M., Haidt, J. (2003). Flourishing: Positive psychology and the life well-lived. Washington: American Psychological Association First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Labelle, R., Bouffard, L., Alain, M., Dubé, M., Bastin, E., Lapierre, S. (2001). Bien-être et détresse psychologique: Vers un modèle hiérarchique cognitivo-affectif en santé mentale [Psychological well-being and distress: Toward a cognitive-affective model in mental health]. Revue Québécoise de Psychologie, 22, 71–87 First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Lapierre, S., Bouffard, L. (2001a). ;valuation du vécu à la retraite. [Retirement experience assessment scale]. Unpublished manuscript, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Lapierre, S., Bouffard, L. (2001b). Questionnaire sur le processus de réalisation de projets. [Goal Realization Process Questionnaire]. Unpublished manuscript, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Lapierre, S, Bouffard, L., Bastin, ;. (1993). Motivational goal objects in later life. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 36, 279–292 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Lapierre, S., Bouffard, L., Bastin, ;. (1997). Personal goals and subjective well-being in later life. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 45, 287–303 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Lapierre, S., Bouffard, L., Dubé, M., Labelle, R., Bastin, ;. (2001). Aspirations and well-being in old age. In P. Schmuck & K.M. Sheldon (Eds.), Life goals and well-being. Toward a positive psychology of human striving (pp. 102-115). Toronto: Hogrefe & Huber First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Lester, D. (2002). The effectiveness of suicide prevention and crisis intervention services. In D. Lester (Ed.), Crisis intervention and counseling by telephone. Springfield, IL: CC Thomas First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Malone, K.M., Oquendo, M.A., Haas, G.L., Ellis, S.P., Li, S., Mann, J.J. (2000). Protective factors against suicidal acts in major depression: Reasons for living. American Journal of Psychiatry, 157, 1084–1088 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Marshall, V.W., Clarke, P.J., Ballantyne, P.J. (2001). Instability in the retirement transition: Effects on health and well-being in a Canadian study. Research on Aging, 23, 379–409 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • McGregor, I., Little, B.R. (1998). Personal projects, happiness, and meaning: On doing well and being yourself. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74, 494–512 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Mein, G., Martikainen, P., Hemingway, H., Stansfeld, S., Marmot, M. (2003). Is retirement good or bad for mental and physical health functioning? Whitehall II longitudinal study of civil servants. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 57, 46–49 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Michel, K., Valach, L. (2001). Suicide as goal-directed action. In K. van Heeringen (Ed.), Understanding suicidal behavior (pp. 230-254). New York: Wiley First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Mishara, B. (2003). Succès, échecs et défis en prévention du suicide au Québec [Successes, failures, and challenges in suicide prevention in Quebec]. Revue Québécoise de Psychologie, 24, 125–144 First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Nuttin, J.R. (1984). Motivation planning and action. Rational theory of behavior. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Nurmi, J.-E., Salmela-Aro, K. (2002). Goal construction, reconstruction and depressive symptoms in a lifespan context: The transition from school to work. Journal of Personality, 70, 385–420 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Payne, E.C., Robbins, S.B., Dougherty, L. (1991). Goal directedness and older adult adjustment. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 38, 302–308 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Peterson, C., Seligman, M.E.P. (2004). Character strengths and virtues. A handbook and classification. New York: Oxford University Press First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Poëhlmann, K., Brunstein, J. (2000). Les buts personnels en psychotherapie: Preciser ce qu'on veut et savoir comment l'atteindre [Personal goals in psychotherapy: Specifying what one wants and knowing how to attain it]. Revue Québécoise de Psychologie, 21, 219–238 First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Préville, M., Potvin, L., Boyer, R. (1995). The structure of psychological distress. Psychological Reports, 77, 275–293 First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Reker, G.T., Peacock, E.J., Wong, P.T.P. (1987). Meaning and purpose in life and well-being: A life-span perspective. Journal of Gerontology, 42, 44–49 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Richman, J. (1995). The lifesaving function of humor with the depressed and suicidal elderly. Gerontologist, 35, 271–273 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Riediger, M., Freund, A., Baltes, P.B. (2005). Managing life through personal goals: Intergoal facilitation and intensity of goal pursuit in younger and older adulthood. Journals of Gerontology-Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 60B(2), P84–P91 First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Roberts, K.T., Aspy, C.B. (1993). Development of the Serenity scale. Journal of Nursing Measurement, 1, 145–164 First citation in articleMedline, Google Scholar

  • Rothermund, K., Brandtstädter, J. (2003). Depression in later life: Cross-sequential patterns and possible determinants. Psychology and Aging, 18, 80–90 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Ryff, C.D. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57, 1069–1081 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Salmela-Aro, K., Nurmi, J.-E., Saisto, T., Halmesmäki, E (2001). Goal reconstruction and depressive symptoms during the transition to motherhood: Evidence from two cross-lagged longitudinal studies. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 81, 1144–1159 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Schmuck, P., Sheldon, K.M. Eds. (2001). Life goals and well-being: Toward a positive psychology of human striving. Seattle: Hogrefe & Huber First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Sheldon, K.M., Houser-Marko, L. (2001). Self-concordance, goal attainment, and the pursuit of happiness: Can there be an upward spiral?. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 80, 152–165 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Shneidman, E.S. (2001). Comprehending suicide. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Smith, L.C., Robbins, S.B. (1988). Validity of the goal instability scale (modified) as a predictor of adjustment in retirement-age adults. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 33, 325–329 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Snyder, C.R., Lopez, S.J. (2002). Handbook of positive psychology. New York: Oxford University Press First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Snyder, C.R., Rand, K. (2004). Hopelessness and health. In D.N. Anderson (Ed.), Encyclopedia of health and behavior-Vol. 2 (pp. 521-523). Thousands Oaks, CA: Sage First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Snyder, C.R., Sympson, S.C., Ybasco, F.C., Borders, T.F., Babyak, M.A., Higgins, R.L. (1996). Development and validation of the state hope scale. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70, 321–335 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Stack, S. (2000). Suicide: A 15-year review of the sociological literature, Part 1: Cultural and economic factors. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 30, 145–162 First citation in articleMedline, Google Scholar

  • Stones, M.J., Kozma, A., Hirdes, J., Gold, D., Arbukle, T., Kolopack, P. (1996). Short happiness and affect protocol (SHARP). Social Indicators Research, 34, 75–91 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Trépanier, L., Lapierre, S., Baillargeon, J., Bouffard, L. (2001). Ténacité et flexibilité dans la poursuite des projets personnels: Impact sur le bien-être à la retraite [Tenacious and flexible pursuit of personal projects: Impact on well-being in retirement]. Canadian Journal on Aging, 20, 557–576 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • van Heeringen, K. Ed. (2001). Understanding suicidal behavior. New York: Wiley First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Warr, P., Butcher, V., Robertson, I,, Callinan, M. (2004). Older people's well-being as a function of employment, retirement, environmental characteristics and role preference. British Journal of Psychology, 95, 297–324 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Watson, D.L., Tharp, R.G. (1997). Self-directed behavior. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Yesavage, J.A., Brink, T.L., Rose, T.L., Lum, O., Huang, V., Adey, M., Leirer, V.O. (1983). Development and validation of a geriatric depression screening scale: A preliminary report. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 17, 37–49 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar