scholarly journals An Experimental Test of the ‘Interpersonal’ in the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 332-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. George ◽  
Khan R. L. Collins ◽  
Temily Cao ◽  
Werner G. K. Stritzke ◽  
Andrew C. Page
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Interpersonal Theory ◽  
Experimental Paradigm ◽  
Thwarted Belongingness ◽  
Perceived Burdensomeness ◽  
Interpersonal Theory Of Suicide ◽  
Interpersonal Factors ◽  
Interpersonal Needs ◽  
Team Task

The interpersonal theory of suicide posits that failed interpersonal needs for efficacy and belongingness cause suicide ideation (Joiner, 2005). To distinguish whether their mechanism of action is interpersonal or via failure per se, an experimental paradigm was used. In Study 1 (n = 98), participants were randomly allocated to high or low perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness conditions. Those who experienced high levels of the interpersonal factors expressed a heightened desire to disengage from the interactive computerized team task. To test whether disengagement was caused by interpersonal factors or just poor performance, participants in Study 2 (n = 63) were randomly allocated to complete the task in collaborative (i.e., interpersonal) or competitive (i.e., intrapersonal) conditions. The deficits in persistence were greater among participants in the interpersonal condition, indicating that the interpersonal nature of perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness makes these factors particularly pernicious, supporting the emphasis of the interpersonal theory of suicide.

Retrospective Cyberbullying and Suicide Ideation: The Mediating Roles of Depressive Symptoms, Perceived Burdensomeness, and Thwarted Belongingness

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (16) ◽  
pp. 2602-2620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean M. Mitchell ◽  
Paige L. Seegan ◽  
Jared F. Roush ◽  
Sarah L. Brown ◽  
Michael A. Sustaíta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Interpersonal Theory ◽  
Thwarted Belongingness ◽  
Perceived Burdensomeness ◽  
Interpersonal Theory Of Suicide ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Increase Risk ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Research suggests that being cyberbullied is associated with increased risk for suicide ideation; however, few studies have examined the underlying mechanisms of this relation, and fewer have examined this relation within a theory of suicide. Specifically, the interpersonal theory of suicide posits that thwarted belongingness (indicated by loneliness and a lack of reciprocal caring relationships) and perceived burdensomeness (indicated by feelings of liability and self-hatred) increase risk for suicide ideation. The current study aimed to examine depressive symptoms, thwarted belongingness, and perceived burdensomeness as mediators between intensity of being cyberbullied and suicide ideation. Participants were college students ( N = 348) who completed assessments of retrospective peer victimization, thwarted interpersonal needs (i.e., thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness), and suicide ideation. The results indicated that after adjusting for sexual orientation, depressive symptoms significantly mediated the relation between intensity of being cyberbullied and suicide ideation. Furthermore, depressive symptoms and perceived burdensomeness serially mediated the relation between intensity of being cyberbullied and suicide ideation; however, thwarted belongingness was not a significant mediator. Clinical and research implications, limitations, and future directions are discussed.

Pet Attachment and the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie Jane Douglas ◽  
Mun Yee Kwan ◽  
Kathryn H. Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Risk ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Interpersonal Theory ◽  
Pet Ownership ◽  
Thwarted Belongingness ◽  
Perceived Burdensomeness ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Interpersonal Theory Of Suicide ◽  
Pet Attachment ◽  
The Relationship

Objective: Pet ownership is often assumed to have mental health benefits, but the effect of pets on suicide risk has a scant literature. Method: Using the interpersonal theory of suicide, we examined the relationships between perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, overall attachment to one’s pet (quality of the relationship), pet attachment avoidance (distrustful of the relationship) or anxiety (afraid of abandonment), and suicide risk. Three hypotheses were investigated: 1) higher levels of attachment would be associated with lower suicide risk via lower levels of thwarted belongingness/perceived burdensomeness, 2) lower levels of pet attachment would be associated with higher levels of suicide risk via attachment avoidance/attachment anxiety, and 3) attachment avoidance/anxiety would be associated with higher suicide risk via thwarted belongingness/perceived burdensomeness. Undergraduates (N = 187) completed surveys and indirect effect analyses were utilized. Results: Higher overall attachment was associated with decreased attachment anxiety, which was associated with lower suicide risk. Attachment anxiety was correlated with increased suicide risk. Overall attachment, attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety were not found to indirectly affect suicide risk. Conclusions: Findings suggest that pet ownership may provide both protective and deleterious effects in a nonclinical sample.

scholarly journals How Is the Presence of Company Related to Thwarted Belongingness in Real Time? Taking a Closer Look at the Conceptualization of the Construct of the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (13) ◽  
pp. 4873 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Hallensleben ◽  
Heide Glaesmer ◽  
Thomas Forkmann ◽  
Dajana Rath ◽  
Maria Strauss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Interpersonal Theory ◽  
Thwarted Belongingness ◽  
Interpersonal Theory Of Suicide ◽  
Depressive Affect ◽  
Assessment Study ◽  
Interpersonal Factors ◽  
Ecological Momentary ◽  
Momentary Assessment

(1) Background: The role of thwarted belongingness (TB) in predicting suicidal ideation, as originally assumed by the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide, is repeatedly challenged by empirical findings. This could be due to an inadequate conceptualization of the construct of TB that is assumed to be influenced by intrapersonal and interpersonal factors. (2) Methods: We examined the associations of TB with intrapersonal variables related to depression, and with interpersonal variables related to an individual’s actual social environment. We analyzed data from an ecological momentary assessment study in psychiatric inpatients with depressive disorders. N = 73 participants rated momentary TB, depressive affect and status of company up to 10 times per day, over a period of six days, on smartphones. (3) Results: TB was lower when assessed while participants were in company compared to when they were alone, and the more desired the company was, the less TB was experienced. Individuals who had a partnership experienced less momentary TB. Furthermore, higher levels of momentary depressive affect, as well as more stable levels of depression, were related to higher levels of TB, and the relation between the presence of company and TB was weaker for more depressed persons. (4) Conclusions: Our findings can be seen as evidence that both intrapersonal and interpersonal factors relate to TB, and thus support the conceptualization of TB as proposed by the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide.

scholarly journals Weight Stigma, Suicide Risk, and the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide: The Roles of Emotion Dysregulation and Eating Pathology

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie Jane Douglas ◽  
Mun Yee Kwan ◽  
Kathryn H. Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Emotion Dysregulation ◽  
Suicide Risk ◽  
Weight Stigma ◽  
Emotional Dysregulation ◽  
Interpersonal Theory ◽  
Thwarted Belongingness ◽  
Perceived Burdensomeness ◽  
Interpersonal Theory Of Suicide ◽  
Weight Stigmatization

Objective: Using an interpersonal theory of suicide framework, we investigated the relationships between perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, weight stigmatization, emotion dysregulation, eating disorder symptoms, and suicide risk. Three hypotheses were investigated. First, we predicted a positive linear relationship between stigmatization and risk. Second, an indirect effect of stigmatization on risk via thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness was posited. Third, we hypothesized that weight stigmatization would indirectly affect suicide risk via emotion dysregulation as conditional upon disordered eating. Method: Undergraduates (N = 156) completed surveys online. Linear regressions, indirect effect analyses, and conditional process modeling were conducted to test our hypotheses. Results: Weight stigmatization was associated with suicide risk, where higher levels of stigmatization were associated with higher levels of suicide risk. Weight stigmatization indirectly affected suicide risk via perceived burdensomeness but not thwarted belongingness. Higher stigmatization was associated with higher levels of perceived burdensomeness, which was associated with higher risk. An indirect effect of weight stigmatization on suicide risk through emotional dysregulation emerged. Higher weight stigmatization was associated with higher emotional dysregulation, which was associated with higher suicide risk. Conclusions: Our findings may have clinical and public health implications for suicide prevention efforts targeting weight stigma-related risk factors.

How does someone who weighs so little feel like a burden to everyone?

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S598-S598
Author(s):  
F. Coutinho ◽  
I. Brandão ◽  
E. Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Anorexia Nervosa ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Interpersonal Theory ◽  
Thwarted Belongingness ◽  
Perceived Burdensomeness ◽  
Interpersonal Theory Of Suicide ◽  
Her Family ◽  
Completed Suicide ◽  
Competing Interest

IntroductionAnorexia nervosa (AN) is one of the most lethal psychiatric disorders, which is explained partially by starvation related health problems, but also because of high suicide rates. One of the proposed theories to explain a suicide attempt is the interpersonal theory of suicide (IPTS), with its three essential variables: feelings of thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness and the acquired capacity for suicide.ObjectiveTo review the literature about suicidality in AN and to present a case report of a patient with restrictive AN who has committed suicide.MethodsTo review of the literature using the database Medline, through PubMed, with the keywords “anorexia nervosa”, “eating disorders” and “suicide”.ResultsSuicide attempts and completed suicide are highly prevalent among patients with AN, and some authors suggest that 20–40% of deaths in AN are due to suicide. Recently, the IPTS has been proposed as a mean to explain increased suicidality in AN patients.ConclusionWe present a case report about a patient with a long standing AN who has committed suicide after leaving a goodbye note describing strong feelings of perceived burdensomeness directed to her family. It is of utmost importance to continue the study about the phenomenon of suicide in AN to be able to prevent this tragic outcome.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Thwarted Interpersonal Needs and Suicide Ideation Distress Among Psychiatric Inpatients: The Moderating Role of Criminal Associates

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (12) ◽  
pp. 2138-2156
Author(s):  
Sean M. Mitchell ◽  
Kelly C. Cukrowicz ◽  
Jared F. Roush ◽  
Sarah L. Brown ◽  
Jessica L. Alquist ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Psychiatric Inpatients ◽  
Thwarted Belongingness ◽  
Perceived Burdensomeness ◽  
Criminal Involvement ◽  
Interpersonal Needs ◽  
Main Effects ◽  
Moderating Role

Psychiatric inpatients are at elevated risk of suicide, and approximately half are criminal justice-involved. Their involvement with criminal associates may be linked to increased suicide ideation distress; however, this has not been examined. This study tested main effects of, and interactions between, thwarted belongingness (TB) or perceived burdensomeness (PB), time spent with associates, and associates’ criminal involvement predicting suicide ideation distress. In our study, psychiatric inpatients ( n = 139) completed assessments cross-sectionally. Results indicated that TB, PB, and associates’ criminal involvement were significantly related to greater suicide ideation distress. A significant three-way interaction indicated participants who endorsed high TB, spent more time with associates, and had associates high in criminal involvement had the greatest probability of “Extreme” suicide ideation distress. These findings suggest that spending time with criminal associates may increase suicide ideation distress more than not having social interactions. Implications and limitations of this study are discussed.

775 The Relationship Between Sleep and Suicidal Ideation in College Students

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A301-A302
Author(s):  
Krishna Taneja ◽  
Andrew Tubbs ◽  
Fabian-Xosé Fernandez ◽  
Michael Perlis ◽  
Michael Grandner
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Suicide Risk ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Interpersonal Theory ◽  
Thwarted Belongingness ◽  
Perceived Burdensomeness ◽  
Interpersonal Theory Of Suicide ◽  
Short Sleep ◽  
Sleep Control

Abstract Introduction Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for young adults and insomnia increases suicide risk. However, the data on disrupted sleep and suicidal ideation in college students is mixed, including whether disrupted sleep fits into the framework of the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide. Therefore, the present study explored how four different sleep variables influenced recent suicidal ideation in a collegiate sample. Methods Data from N=506 respondents were collected as part of the Assessing Nocturnal Sleep/Wake Effects on Risk of Suicide (ANSWERS) Survey in college students. The primary outcome, active suicidal ideation in the last 3 months, was assessed using several self-report questions derived from the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale. The predictors were weekday short sleep (≤6h; assessed by retrospective sleep diary), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) score, Brief Inventory of Sleep Control (BRISC) score, and Disturbing Dreams and Nightmares Severity Index (DDNSI) score. Binomial logistic regression models estimated the associations between suicidal ideation and sleep variables in models that were unadjusted, adjusted for age, sex, race, and ethnicity, and additionally adjusted for thwarted belongingness or perceived burdensomeness (constructs from the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide). Results A total of N=121 (23.9%) respondents endorsed suicidal ideation in the last 3 months. Individuals with suicidal ideation were in poorer health (p<0.001) and had more severe depression (p<0.001) and anxiety (p<0.001). In unadjusted models, individuals were more likely to report suicidal ideation if they had short sleep (OR 1.93 [1.23–3.05]), ISI scores of 8 or more (OR 3.01 [1.94–4.74]), and DDNSI scores of 10 or more (OR 2.66 [1.69–4.19]). Higher BRISC scores were associated with lower odds of suicidal ideation (OR 0.53 [0.41–0.68]). Adjusting for age, sex, race, ethnicity, thwarted belongingness, and perceived burdensomeness attenuated but did not eliminate any of these relationships. Conclusion Insomnia, short sleep, nightmares, and less perceived sleep control were all associated with recent suicidal ideation in college students. Moreover, these findings were generally independent of the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide. Further research is needed to understand how sleep affects suicide risk in this population, and whether sleep interventions can reduce this risk. Support (if any):

scholarly journals Shame and Suicidal Ideation among Undergraduates in China: The Mediating Effect of Thwarted Belongingness and Perceived Burdensomeness

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 2360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingjing Zhao ◽  
Yanna Chi ◽  
Yanli Ju ◽  
Xiyao Liu ◽  
Jingjing Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Psychological Intervention ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Interpersonal Theory ◽  
Mediating Effects ◽  
Suicide Risk Assessment ◽  
Thwarted Belongingness ◽  
Perceived Burdensomeness ◽  
Interpersonal Theory Of Suicide

Undergraduate students with shame are more likely to experience suicidal ideation, but there remains a lack of research investigating the factors underlying this relationship. The interpersonal theory of suicide posits that suicidal ideation is influenced by the simultaneous presence of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness. We examined the prevalence of suicidal ideation among undergraduate students in China and examined the association between shame and suicidal ideation mediated by perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness. A survey was conducted in July 2018 involving 2320 undergraduate students, and the twelve-month prevalence of suicidal ideation was 8.95%. Shame played a crucial role in predicting suicidal ideation, and the mediating effects of perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness between shame and suicidal ideation were significant. Suicidal ideation is common among undergraduate students in China and merits greater attention. Shame, perceived burdensomeness, and thwarted belongingness may be important factors to assess among undergraduate students in suicide risk assessment and psychological intervention.

Thwarted Belongingness and Perceived Burdensomeness in Suicide Notes

Crisis ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 178-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
John F. Gunn ◽  
David Lester ◽  
Janet Haines ◽  
Christopher L. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Theory ◽  
Thwarted Belongingness ◽  
Perceived Burdensomeness ◽  
Interpersonal Theory Of Suicide ◽  
Suicide Notes

Background: Joiner’s interpersonal theory of suicide postulates that suicide occurs because of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness, combined with a capability for committing suicide. Aims: The present study examines the frequency of the presence of the themes of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness in suicide notes. Methods: A total of 261 suicide notes from 1091 consecutive completed suicides in Tasmania were rated for the presence of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness. Results: Contrary to the theory, few suicide notes were found to include perceived burdensomeness (10.3%) and thwarted belongingness (30.7%), and only 4.2% had both themes. The notes of women more often contained the theme of perceived burdensomeness, while the notes of younger suicides more often contained the theme of thwarted belongingness. Conclusions: Joiner’s theory of suicide may apply to only a small percentage of suicides who leave suicide notes.

scholarly journals Predicting suicidal ideation in a nationally representative sample of young adults: a 12-month prospective study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Karen Wetherall ◽  
Seonaid Cleare ◽  
Sarah Eschle ◽  
Eamonn Ferguson ◽  
Daryl B. O'Connor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Prospective Study ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Interpersonal Theory ◽  
Thwarted Belongingness ◽  
Perceived Burdensomeness ◽  
Interpersonal Theory Of Suicide ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background Evidence-based theoretical models outlining the pathways to the development of suicidal ideation may inform treatment. The current research draws from the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (IPT) and the Integrated Motivational-Volitional (IMV) Model of suicidal behaviour and aims to test the interaction between perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness as proposed by the IPT model, and the defeat-entrapment pathway as proposed by the IMV model, in the prediction of suicidal ideation at 12-month follow-up. Methods The Scottish Wellbeing Study is a nationally representative prospective study of young people aged 18–34 years (n = 3508) from across Scotland, who completed a baseline interview and a 12-month follow-up (n = 2420). The core factors from both the IPT (perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness) and the IMV model (defeat, internal and external entrapment) were measured alongside demographics, depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation at baseline. At 12-month follow-up, suicidal ideation was assessed again. Results In multiple regression analysis perceived burdensomeness and internal entrapment, with baseline suicidal ideation, predicted 12-month suicidal ideation. No support for the interaction between perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness in predicting 12-month suicidal ideation was found. However, there was evidence that internal, but not external, entrapment mediated the relationship between defeat and 12-month suicidal ideation, but no support was found for the moderation of burdensomeness and belongingness on the entrapment to suicidal ideation pathway. Conclusions The current findings highlight the importance of targeting perceived burdensomeness and internal entrapment to reduce the likelihood that suicidal ideation emerges in at risk individuals.

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