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An Intervention Targetting Hopelessness in Adolescents by Promoting Positive Future Images

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 February 2016

Jennifer M Gidley
Jennifer M Gidley*
Affiliation:
Lismore District, NSW
*
School of Social and Workplace Development, Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore, 2480, Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

This paper presents some ground-work for the development of a new theoretical approach which has the potential to contribute to primary prevention of suicide in adolescents by targetting hopelessness. Drawing on the extensive psychological literature which has linked hopelessness with depression and suicide risk for decades, the author notes that although there is a strong research and clinical base for targetting depression, there is a gap in the psychological literature when it comes to targetting hopelessness, specifically. Looking beyond the psychology field to the futures studies research field, the author draws links between the psychology research that does exist and the youth futures research which correlates rising youth suicide rates with growing fears and negativity of young people towards the future. Based on this new theoretical perspective, an intervention has been developed and is detailed here which attempts to reduce hopelessness in adolescents by promoting more positive images of the future.

Type
Research papers
Information
Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools , Volume 11 , November 2001 , pp. 51 - 64
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2001

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