Does the Experience of Interpersonal Predictors of Suicidal Desire Predict Positive Attitudes Toward Physician Assisted Suicide?

The current study examined the relationship between Physician Assisted Suicide (PAS) attitudes and interpersonal risk factors of suicidal desire as outlined by the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicidal behavior (Joiner, 2005). It was hypothesized that both thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness would be positively related to PAS acceptance. Results indicated that thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness predicted significance of favorable attitudes toward PAS in a college sample. Results suggest that attitudes toward PAS may be influenced by the experience of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness and provide a clear rationale for the study of these variables in populations more apt to consider hastened death. Future work regarding the application of the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicidal behavior in hastened death research is discussed.

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Perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and suicide ideation: Re-examination of the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory in two samples

Psychiatry Research ◽

10.1016/j.psychres.2015.05.055 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 228 (3) ◽

pp. 544-550 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

Ian Cero ◽

Kelly L. Zuromski ◽

Tracy K. Witte ◽

Jessica D. Ribeiro ◽

Thomas E. Joiner

Keyword(s):

Suicide Ideation ◽

Psychological Theory ◽

Thwarted Belongingness ◽

Perceived Burdensomeness ◽

Two Samples ◽

Interpersonal Psychological Theory

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Understanding Suicidal Behavior in the Military: An Evaluation of Joiner's Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicidal Behavior in Two Case Studies of Active Duty Post-Deployers

Journal of Mental Health Counseling ◽

10.17744/mehc.31.1.u394h1470248844n ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 60-75 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

Michael Anestis ◽

Craig Bryan ◽

Michelle Cornette ◽

Thomas Joiner

Keyword(s):

Case Studies ◽

Suicidal Behavior ◽

Empirical Studies ◽

Psychological Theory ◽

Active Duty ◽

Mental Health Counselors ◽

Explanatory Role ◽

Interpersonal Psychological Theory ◽

The Military ◽

Future Work

Suicide in the military is a growing concern. We reviewed empirical studies and used two case studies to illustrate the potential explanatory role of Joiner's (2005) interpersonal-psychological theory of suicidal behavior. The theory posits that three variables—perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and acquired capability for suicide—determine the risk of an individual engaging in a lethal suicide attempt. In our case studies, we illustrate how these variables might be affected in an active duty population post-deployment. Although methodological limitations preclude conclusive determinations, the case studies provide a framework within which to understand the phenomenon of suicide in the military. Future work that examines these findings empirically will be invaluable to both researchers and mental health counselors.

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The Interpersonal–Psychological Theory of Suicide in Medical Students: Comparisons of Individuals without Suicidality, Ideators, and Planners

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182111526 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (21) ◽

pp. 11526

Author(s):

Alice Solibieda ◽

Marianne Rotsaert ◽

Gwenolé Loas

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Strong Predictor ◽

Psychological Theory ◽

Pain Tolerance ◽

Thwarted Belongingness ◽

Undergraduate Medical Students ◽

Perceived Burdensomeness ◽

Acquired Capability ◽

Interpersonal Psychological Theory

The aim of this study was to explore the interpersonal–psychological theory of suicide (IPTS) in medical students. Higher levels of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness were expected in medical students with suicidality compared with medical students without suicidality, and a high level of acquired capability was expected in planners compared with ideators. Recruited for the study were 178 undergraduate medical students at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB): 95 subjects without suicidality, 24 subjects with lifetime suicidality, 28 subjects with recent suicidal ideation, and 26 planners. An ad hoc questionnaire evaluated the risk of suicide as well as the “Suicidal thoughts and wishes” item of the BDI-II. The Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INS) measured thwarted belongingness (TB) and perceived burdensomeness (PB). The Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale (ACSS) measured notably fearlessness of death or pain tolerance and depression was rated using the revised version of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Cognitive–affective symptoms of depression (CA-BDI) were assessed using six items of the BDI. Analyses of variance showed significant differences between groups for TB and PB but not for ACSS. Analyses of covariance, controlling for the CA-BDI scores, confirmed the significance of differences in TB and PB. Post hoc tests showed that (1) high levels of TB were characteristic of subjects with recent suicidal ideation and planners compared with subjects without suicidality; and (2) high levels of PB were characteristic of planners compared with the three other groups. Among the three characteristics of the IPTS, PB could be a strong predictor of severe suicide risk in medical students.

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Gender and the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide: A Three-Way Interaction Between Perceived Burdensomeness, Thwarted Belongingness, and Gender

Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology ◽

10.1521/jscp.2017.36.10.799 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 36 (10) ◽

pp. 799-813 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ryan M. Hill ◽

Claire Hatkevich ◽

Jeremy W. Pettit ◽

Carla Sharp

Keyword(s):

Psychological Theory ◽

Thwarted Belongingness ◽

Perceived Burdensomeness ◽

And Gender ◽

Interpersonal Psychological Theory

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Dating Violence Victimization, Interpersonal Needs, and Suicidal Ideation Among College Students

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000353 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (1) ◽

pp. 51-58 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Caitlin Wolford-Clevenger ◽

JoAnna Elmquist ◽

Meagan Brem ◽

Heather Zapor ◽

Gregory L. Stuart

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Dating Violence ◽

Psychological Theory ◽

Thwarted Belongingness ◽

Perceived Burdensomeness ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Interpersonal Needs ◽

Interpersonal Psychological Theory ◽

The Relationship

Abstract. Background: Victims of dating violence experience suicidal ideation at a higher rate than the general population. However, very few studies have examined the relationship between dating violence and suicidal ideation within an empirically supported theory of suicide. The interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide posits that thwarted interpersonal needs (i.e., thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness) are proximal antecedents to suicidal ideation. The experience of dating violence may thwart such interpersonal needs, thus increasing risk for suicidal ideation. Aims: We aimed to examine the relationships among dating violence, thwarted interpersonal needs, and suicidal ideation and test the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide. Method: We conducted two cross-sectional studies on college students in dating relationships to examine these research questions. Results: Study 1 indicated positive correlations among dating violence (i.e., physical and psychological), thwarted belongingness, and perceived burdensomeness. Study 2 generally replicated the bivariate relationships of Study 1 and demonstrated that, at high levels of thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness was correlated with suicidal ideation, while accounting for the effects of depressive symptoms and drug use. Conclusion: These results highlight the importance of using theory-guided research to understand the relationship between dating violence and suicidal ideation.

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The Relationship of Specific Demographic Variables to Perceived Burdensomeness, Thwarted Belongingness, and Acquired Suicide Capability in K–12 Students

10.31234/osf.io/n7dsb ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Lora Hoffman ◽

Cass Dykeman

Keyword(s):

Psychological Theory ◽

Demographic Variables ◽

Thwarted Belongingness ◽

Perceived Burdensomeness ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cross Sectional Design ◽

K 12 ◽

Interpersonal Psychological Theory ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship

This study explores the relationship between specific demographic variables and the three Interpersonal-Psychological Theory (IPT) variables known to influence suicidal ideation and acts. The population was a large sample of K–12 students. Current research regarding demographic variables and the IPT variables in youth has been largely unexplored, leaving many assumptions and untested hypotheses. To address this gap, an archival cross-sectional design employing three multiple regression analyses was completed. For each analysis, the three demographic variables (age, gender, and race/ethnicity) were regressed on one of the IPT variables (perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and acquired suicide capability). The overall model for each of the research questions was significant, with R2 ranging from .06 to .07. Reasons for the obtained results as well as implications for researchers and clinicians are discussed.

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