PH.D. in psychology, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran. abdolghaderi@malayeru.ac.ir
Abstract: (12 Views)
Abstract T his study explores the cycle of hope and despair by examining the fluctuating experiences of suicidal ideation among university students over the course of an academic semester during escalating tensions between Iran and the United States. The study aimed to understand the dynamic and context-dependent nature of suicidal thoughts in relation to personal pressures, the academic structure, and broader social crises. Using a descriptive phenomenological design based on Colaizzi's seven-step method, data from in-depth, semi-structured interviews with eleven students were analyzed. Seven major themes emerged: the collapse of the sense of security, the accumulation of psychological stress, the oscillating cycle of hope and despair, suicidal ideation as a language of helplessness, political crisis as a qualitative amplifier of distress, protective factors, and existential rethinking. The findings indicate that suicidal ideation is not a static phenomenon but a cyclical experience profoundly shaped by the interaction between personal pressures and broader threats. These findings highlight the need to reconsider university screening systems by moving beyond cross-sectional assessments toward longitudinal, context-sensitive, and multilevel approaches. Clinical interventions should extend beyond symptom-focused assessment to understand the internal logic of entrapment, monitor fluctuations in suicide risk over time, and facilitate
Article number: 4
Keywords: Suicidal ideation, University students, Phenomenology, Fluctuation, Political tensions, Helplessness.
Type of Study: Applicable |
Subject:
Rehabilitation counseling
Received: 2026/08/21 | Accepted: 2026/09/18
Received: 2026/08/21 | Accepted: 2026/09/18
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