Creativity as a Protective Factor to Suicidality

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis was to compare the presence of suicide risk in college student art majors (n = 144) and non-art majors (n = 330), and to determine if flow consciousness cultivated hope, purpose in life, or resilience, when manifested through creative expression. Using a convenience sample, participants (N = 474) completed a battery of assessments measuring depression, suicide risk, creative achievement, flow, hope, purpose, and resilience through an online survey. Hypotheses stated that art majors would be at a greater risk for suicide than non-art majors. Additionally, engagement in flow was predicted to decrease suicide risk as mediated by increased hope, purpose in life, or resilience. Results from the online survey indicated that art majors were not at a greater risk for suicide than their general peers. Furthermore, the relationship between flow and suicide risk was significantly mediated by purpose in life. Purpose in life explained 55% of the variance in suicide risk in both art majors and non-art majors. Findings suggest that creativity can be a protective factor to suicide risk when engaging in an activity that allows creators to experience flow. When creators are in flow, they are also experiencing an increased sense of purpose in life, which can lower their risk of suicide. These findings may help to inform mental health and career counselor interventions when working with college students. Additionally, results from this thesis can advocate for the psychological benefits of creativity via engagement in flow consciousness within the context of policy, education, and family.