Optimism, Depression, and Suicide Ideation Among Black Women Attending a Predominantly White Institution

There is an urgent necessity for research on the mental health of Black college-aged women attending Predominantly White Institutions (PWI's). Due to disparities in the rising rates of suicide, challenges with depression for Black women, and the adversities experienced in higher education, protective factors to support Black women's psychological well-being are vital. Optimistic thinking patterns have been found to be protective against depression and suicide ideation. However, limited studies have intentionally examined these constructs exclusively within a sample of Black women. The current study aims to examine the moderating effects of optimism on the relationship between depression and suicide ideation. 89 (M _age = 21) cisgender African American/Black women were surveyed, and results indicated that when Black women have higher levels of optimism, it may weaken the link between feeling depressed and having thoughts of suicide. Future research and clinical implications are discussed.