Work

The self after suicide: A look at connection to and valence of the future self in suicidal ideation

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction The choice to die by suicide is ultimately a choice to forgo a future and to forgo a self. How the self is conceptualized in the future can therefore be relevant to understanding what causes people to contemplate ending their life. Methods We assess the relationships between two domains of future self-continuity – valence and connectedness – and suicidal ideation at ages 20 and 24 among a representative cohort sample of Swiss urban youth (n=1178), controlling for negative affect and sex using hurdle regression models. We then assess the longitudinal nature of these relationships using a cross-lagged panel model. Results Results show that future self valence at age 20 uniquely and negatively associates with concurrent and future (age 24) suicidal ideation. Future self connectedness at age 20 is inconsistently and negatively associated with concurrent and future suicidal ideation. Suicidal ideation at age 20 does not predict future self perceptions at age 24. Conclusion Future self-continuity, in particular, future self valence, plays an important role in suicidal ideation. As a broadly applicable and malleable construct, future self-continuity may be an effective focus of future suicidal ideation interventions.

Source: Journal of Affective Disorders Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.jadr.2026.101074

Authors: Margaret A. Webb, June P. Tangney, Manuel Eisner, Denis Ribeaud, Jean-Louis van Gelder

Institutions: George Mason University, Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law, University of Zurich, University of Cambridge, Leiden University

Language: English

Topic: Suicide and Self-Harm Studies

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,630