The Importance of Positive Factors in Protecting Adverse Mental Health Outcomes and Suicidal Behavior among Citizens of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries

Abstract

Research on positive factors underlies strategies for promoting mental health and preventing suicidal behaviors. Objectives: To assess the importance of social support, self-esteem, and resilience in protecting against adverse mental health outcomes and suicidal behavior in different Portuguese Language Countries. Method and Results: We collected an online sample of 1006 citizens from the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLC), mean age of 41.76 years. Instruments assessed psychological symptoms, suicidal behaviors, social support, self-esteem, and resilience. We found statistically significant differences between CPLC countries, and positive factors were found to be inversely correlated with adverse mental health and suicidal behavior. Conclusions: Positive factors protect mental health and prevent suicidal behaviors. Self-esteem was particularly important, likely due to its intrinsic nature which has an overall influence on other psychological assets. Cultural differences should be taken in account when planning preventive and protective programs that should be specific to cultural needs.