Cited by 56Suicide and Self-Harm StudiesProblem Solving Skills DevelopmentAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

Perceived problem-solving deficits and suicidal ideation: Evidence for the explanatory roles of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness in five samples.

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Chu, Carol, Walker, Kristin L., Stanley, Ian H., Hirsch, Jameson K., Greenberg, Jeffrey H., Rudd, M. David, Joiner, Thomas E.·2018·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

Abstract

Perceived social problem-solving deficits are associated with suicide risk; however, little research has examined the mechanisms underlying this relationship. The interpersonal theory of suicide proposes 2 mechanisms in the pathogenesis of suicidal desire: intractable feelings of thwarted belongingness (TB) and perceived burdensomeness (PB). This study tested whether TB and PB serve as explanatory links in the relationship between perceived social problem-solving (SPS) deficits and suicidal thoughts and behaviors cross-sectionally and longitudinally. The specificity of TB and PB was evaluated by testing depression as a rival mediator. Self-report measures of perceived SPS deficits, TB, PB, suicidal ideation, and depression were administered in 5 adult samples: 336 and 105 undergraduates from 2 universities, 53 homeless individuals, 222 primary care patients, and 329 military members. Bias-corrected bootstrap mediation and meta-analyses were conducted to examine the magnitude of the direct and indirect effects, and the proposed mediation paths were tested using zero-inflated negative binomial regressions. Cross-sectionally, TB and PB were significant parallel mediators of the relationship between perceived SPS deficits and ideation, beyond depression. Longitudinally and beyond depression, in 1 study, both TB and PB emerged as significant explanatory factors, and in the other, only PB was a significant mediator. Findings supported the specificity of TB and PB: Depression and SPS deficits were not significant mediators. The relationship between perceived SPS deficits and ideation was explained by interpersonal theory variables, particularly PB. Findings support a novel application of the interpersonal theory, and bolster a growing compendium of literature implicating perceived SPS deficits in suicide risk. (PsycINFO Database Record

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  • Social problem-solving, autobiographical memory biases, and rumination are threat to self-moderators.

    “Given their established relationships with suicidal ideation and behaviour, social problem-solving [37–39], autobiographical memory biases [39–41] and rumination [42,43] are included here as TSMs”

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Research works printed but not linked: 5

  1. Chang EC Jilani Z Fowler E Yu T Chia SW Yu E McCabe H Hirsch JK 2015b Relations between multidimensional spirituality and depressive symptoms in adults: Examining hope agency and pathways as potential mediators Journal of Positive Psychology
  2. Chang EC Yu T Chang OD Lee J Stam KR Lucas AG Batterbee CN-H Morris LE Li X Hirsch JK 2017b Trauma under control: Does personal control moderate the relationship between trauma history and suicidal risk in college students? Journal of American College Health
  3. Hayes AF 2013 Introduction to mediation, moderation, and conditional process analysis: A regression-based approach New York, NY US Guilford Press
  4. Heppner PP 1988 The problem solving inventory: Manual Palo Alto, CA Consulting Psychologists Press
  5. Shneidman ES 1957 The logic of suicide Shneidman E Farberow N Clues to suicide 31 40 New York McGraw-Hill

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Authors
Chu, C., Walker, K. L., Stanley, I. H., Hirsch, J. K., Greenberg, J. H., Rudd, M. D., & Joiner, T. E.
Affiliations
  • Florida State University (US)
  • University of California, Los Angeles (US)
  • East Tennessee State University (US)
  • University of Memphis (US)
Venue
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
Published
2018-07
Volume
115
Issue
1
Pages
137-160
ISSN
  • 0022-3514 (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-1315
OpenAlex
W2676038105
Cited by
56
References
112
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 2
FWCI
6.78
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • Digital Commons - East Tennessee State University (East Tennessee State University) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institute of Mental Health (T32 MH093311-04)
  • Military Suicide Research Consortium (W81XWH-10-2–0181)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Speech and Hearing › Problem Solving Skills Development
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords
suicidal ideation, interpersonal theory of suicide, thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, suicide risk, depression, mediation, homeless people, military personnel, primary care patients, undergraduate students
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Middle Aged, Military Personnel, Problem Solving, Psychological Theory, Psychometrics, Psychosocial Deprivation, Surveys and Questionnaires, Risk Factors, Self Concept, Social Isolation, Stress, Psychological, Students, Suicide, Young Adult, Suicidal Ideation, Social Skills

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