The Effect of Psychological Strains on Suicidal Thoughts: The Mediator Role of Interpersonal Needs

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2024-6-13
Demir, Berkan
The primary purpose of the current study was to investigate the mediating effect of interpersonal needs (perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness) in the relationship between psychological strains (i.e., value, aspiration, deprivation, coping) and suicidal thoughts. Moreover, it was examined whether this mediating effect was moderated by perceived social support and depression. The sample comprised five hundred and fourteen emerging adults who voluntarily completed the survey package, including the following measures: The Psychological Strains Scale (PSS), The Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ), the Suicide Probability Scale/Suicidal Thoughts Subscale (SPS/STS), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and Demographic Information Form. Results of the SEM analysis revealed that interpersonal needs and psychological strains explained 66% of the variance in suicidal thoughts. Perceived burdensomeness and aspiration strain were two of the strongest predictors of vulnerability to suicidal thoughts. In addition, while perceived burdensomeness fully mediated the direct effect of value and deprivation strains on suicidal thoughts, thwarted belongingness fully mediated the direct impact of value and coping strains and partially mediated it for aspiration strain. Lastly, while depression moderated five out of eight indirect effects of psychological strains to suicidal thoughts through perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness, social support moderated two out of eight. The findings were discussed by taking into consideration the relevant literature.
Citation Formats
B. Demir, “The Effect of Psychological Strains on Suicidal Thoughts: The Mediator Role of Interpersonal Needs,” Ph.D. - Doctoral Program, Middle East Technical University, 2024.