Exploring the Protective Role of Sense of Coherence in Suicide Prevention: A Systematic Literature Review of Evidence across Different Population Groups

Suicide is a major societal problem/challenge influenced by multiple (social, psychological, biological, and environmental) factors, and is emerging as a serious societal concern in India. The present Systematic Literature Review (SLR) aimed to understand the relationship between Sense of Coherence (SOC) and suicide-related outcomes, particularly suicidal ideation (SI), suicidal tendency, and suicidal behavior (SB). The study was conducted by following PRISMA and PICO guidelines, and a systematic search of relevant studies was carried out through the Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed databases. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, nine studies were finally included in the review. The analysis of the selected studies revealed that high SOC was negatively associated with SI, psychological distress, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), stress, insomnia, and other related risk factors, whereas it showed a positive association with mental health, psychological resilience, adjustment capacity, and social connectedness. In addition, social support, connectedness, and a positive family environment emerged as important factors in strengthening SOC. The findings of the review indicate that SOC is an important protective psychological factor that reduces suicide risk and should be given priority in suicide prevention policies, mental health interventions, and institution-based programs in educational settings.