The relationship between thwarted interpersonal needs and suicidal behaviors varies as a function of positive emotions in a rural sexual minority sample

Few models consider if and how positive psychological resources mitigate suicide risk in rural sexual minorities (SM). The purpose of the current study was to determine whether positive emotions can offset the relationships between thwarted interpersonal need and suicidal behaviors. Data were collected from rural SM (N = 211). Positive emotions moderated the association between thwarted interpersonal needs and suicidal behaviors; the relationship was nullified at higher levels of positive emotions. Our findings offers preliminary evidence for positive emotions as a protective factor to suicide and provides some insights for using positive psychological interventions in suicide prevention efforts.