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

Abstract

<jats:p>(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.</jats:p>

Suicide‐related interpersonal needs of young Iranian people: A preliminary validation of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness constructs

“…Thus, the contribution of TB‐7 to ideating suicide might be observed when certain risk factors have already occurred. For example, TB‐7 was relatively correlated with depression in the current sample, as some recent studies reported TB to increase in depressive states (Hallensleben et al, 2020). Additionally, TB may trigger other risk factors, including PB and hopelessness, over time (Roeder & Cole, 2019).…”

“…This suppression effect (Arah, 2008) suggests that as PB could cover up the role of TB‐7 in the subsamples, the lower levels of TB‐7 surfaced as a protective factor. Finally, as another explanation, TB has been proposed to be an acute risk factor (Bryan, Morrow, Anestis, & Joiner, 2010), which may require evaluating it as momentary incidences (Hallensleben et al, 2020). Certain populations, including geriatrics in terms of suicide attempt (Van Orden et al, 2015) and adolescents in terms of PY‐SI (Barzilay et al, 2019), seem to be more vulnerable to TB as well.…”

Respiratory sinus arrhythmia, negative social interactions, and fluctuations in unmet interpersonal needs: A daily diary study

“…Yet, few studies have examined predictors of within‐person, short‐term fluctuations in unmet interpersonal needs. Two studies using intensive longitudinal designs showed that, among adults with mood and psychotic disorders, being in the physical presence of others was associated with decreased perceptions of thwarted belongingness, but increased perceived burdensomeness (Hallensleben et al, 2020; Parrish et al, 2021). Another study showed that adolescents at high risk for suicidal ideation reported greater thwarted belongingness the day after negative social interactions with family members (Glenn et al, 2021).…”