The Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicidal Behavior proposes precursors to serious suicidality, including the perception that one is a burden on loved ones. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the association of perceived burdensomeness and key suicide-related variables in 343 adult outpatients of the Florida State University Psychology Clinic (187 female; 156 male). Participants completed the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation and the Beck Depression Inventory, as well as items on perceived burdensomeness and hopelessness. Perceived burdensomeness remained a significant predictor of suicidality indicators (i.e., attempt status and BSSI scores) above and beyond the contribution one of the most robust predictors of suicidality, hopelessness. Results suggest that both burdensomeness and hopelessness display predictive power with regards to suicidal behavior and that perceived burdensomeness displayed the signature of a resilient suicide risk factor. Thus, targeting perceived burdensomeness in the assessment of suicidal behavior may aid in treatment and prevention efforts.

The interpersonal-psychological theory of suicidal behavior (Joiner, 2005) proposes that the need to belong is fundamental; when met it can prevent suicide and when thwarted it can substantially increase the risk for suicide. We investigate one source of group-wide variation in belongingness among college students--changes in the social composition of college campuses across academic semesters--as an explanation for variation in suicidal ideation across the academic year. Our results indicate that in a sample of college students at a large southern state university (n = 309), suicidal ideation varied across academic semesters, with highest levels in summer compared to both spring and fall. Differences in suicidal ideation between summer and spring were, in large part, accounted for by belongingness. Theoretical, as well as practical, implications are discussed regarding mechanisms for seasonal variation in suicidal ideation.

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Joiner's (2005) interpersonal-psychological theory of serious suicidal behavior asserts that the need to belong (Baumeister & Leary, 1995) is so powerful that, when satisfied, it can prevent suicide. We investigate the hypothesis that perceived membership in a valued group as well as interactions with group members result in sports-related "pulling together" that may meet the need to belong. We found that local suicide rates correlated with final national rankings of local college football teams; fewer suicides occurred on the day of the "Miracle on Ice" than on any other February 22; and fewer suicides occurred on recent Super Bowl Sundays compared to non-Super Bowl Sundays. Implications for models of suicidality as well as clinical utility are discussed.Baumeister and Leary (1995) argued that the need to belong is a powerful, fundamental, and extremely pervasive motivation, the thwarting of which leads to numerous negative effects on health, adjustment, and well-being. A thwarted need to belong involves a lack of frequent, positively valenced social interactions coupled with a feeling of not being cared about (Baumeister & Leary, 1995). Joiner's (2005) interpersonal-psychological theory of serious suicidal behavior asserts that the need to belong is so powerful that, when satisfied, it can prevent suicide even when other powerful risk factors are operative. By the same token, according to this theory, when the need is thwarted, risk for suicide is increased substantially (cf. Durkheim, 1897, who proposed that suicide re-

In light of concerns about potential iatrogenic effects of information about suicide, in the current study we examined the emotional impact of reading a list of warning signs for suicide in comparison to comparable lists for heart attacks and diabetes. All participants read two sets of warning signs, with the experimental group reading the suicide warning signs. Results confirm no difference in emotional impact across groups, along with providing evidence that warning signs for suicide are as easy to recall after exposure as warning signs for heart attack. Implications for pubic health campaigns are discussed.