Proximal Correlates of Suicidal Ideation and Behaviors: A Test of the Interpersonal‐Psychological Theory of Suicide

Abstract

Objective The interpersonal‐psychological theory of suicide hypothesizes proximal causes of suicidal ideation and behaviors; however, past studies have generally tested distal relations. The present study tested the proximal nature of the theory’s hypotheses. Methods A repeated‐measures design collected daily survey data on the theory constructs over 90 days from 206 (150 women) college students with previous histories of suicidal ideation. Participants completed 7,342 (39.6%) of the 18,540 surveys sent. Results Thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness both positively associated with passive suicidal ideation at the daily level. A statistical trend revealed that perceived burdensomeness was associated with daily active suicidal ideation only at high levels of thwarted belongingness and hopelessness. Active suicidal ideation, but not capability for suicide, was positively associated with suicidal behavior at the daily level. Conclusions These results support the theory’s predictions regarding passive and active suicidal ideation, with limited support regarding suicidal behaviors. The proximal associations of the IPTS constructs with daily suicidal ideation suggest areas for potential intervention with suicidal clients.

Perceived burdensomeness is a curvilinear, short‐term predictor of suicide ideation in a community sample of adults

“…The results of these studies were mixed, with four studies not finding a statistically significant interaction (Miller et al, 2016;Roeder & Cole, 2018;Teismann et al, 2017;Yang et al, 2020), and six studies finding a statistically significant interaction. Of the six studies that found a significant interaction, one indicated a pattern contrary to the synergy hypothesis (i.e., the relationship between thwarted belongingness and suicide ideation was weaker among those with high levels of perceived burdensomeness; Batterham et al, 2018), whereas five studies found an interaction with a pattern that was consistent with the synergy hypothesis (i.e., the relationship between thwarted belongingness and suicide ideation was stronger among those with high levels of perceived burdensomeness; Czyz et al, 2018;Hallensleben et al, 2019;Kleiman et al, 2014;Kyron et al, 2018;Wolford-Clevenger et al, 2019). Of note, the majority of the studies that found a pattern consistent with the synergy hypothesis used shortterm follow-up intervals (e.g., daily or multiple within-day measurements; Czyz et al, 2018;Hallensleben et al, 2019;Kyron et al, 2018;Wolford-Clevenger et al, 2019), while all the studies that found a pattern inconsistent with the synergy hypothesis used extended follow-up intervals (i.e., three months -four years; Batterham et al, 2018;Miller et al, 2016;Roeder & Cole, 2018;Teismann et al, 2017;Yang et al, 2020).…”

“…Despite the abundance of cross-sectional studies testing the main tenets of the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide, to date, only ten longitudinal studies have tested the synergy hypothesis (Batterham et al, 2018;Czyz et al, 2018;Hallensleben et al, 2019;Kleiman et al, 2014;Kyron et al, 2018;Miller et al, 2016;Roeder & Cole, 2018;Teismann et al, 2017;Wolford-Clevenger et al, 2019;Yang et al, 2020). The results of these studies were mixed, with four studies not finding a statistically significant interaction (Miller et al, 2016;Roeder & Cole, 2018;Teismann et al, 2017;Yang et al, 2020), and six studies finding a statistically significant interaction.…”

“…Thwarted belongingness may influence perceived burdensomeness by increasing feelings of liability due to individuals thinking that they are an impediment (e.g., My presence is an inconvenience to others) and feelings of self-hate due to individuals thinking their lack of belonging is their own fault (e.g., It's my fault no one likes me). The majority of longitudinal studies examining the synergy hypothesis have included suicide ideation as the only outcome variable (Batterham et al, 2018;Czyz et al, 2018;Hallensleben et al, 2019;Kleiman et al, 2014;Miller et al, 2016;Teismann et al, 2017;Wolford-Clevenger et al, 2019;Yang et al, 2020), limiting their ability to examine reciprocal relationships. Therefore, future studies examining perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness in relation to suicide ideation should examine if these reciprocal relationships are replicated in other samples.…”

Die deutsche Version der Interpersonal Hopelessness Scale (IHS)

“…Passend dazu präsentiert sich die Befundlage zur Dreifachinteraktion von PB, TB und allgemeiner Hoffnungslosigkeit hinsichtlich der Vorhersage von aktiven Suizidgedanken als heterogen mit stützenden [z.B. Hagan et al, 2015;Talley et al, 2016;Wolford-Clevenger et al, 2019] als auch widersprechenden Befunden [z.B. Christensen et al, 2013;Baertschi et al, 2017;Forkmann et al, 2021;Rath et al, 2021].…”

An experimental investigation of the influence of loneliness on changes in belongingness and desire to escape

“…A thwarted sense of belongingness has been identified in the Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicide (hereafter Interpersonal Theory; Joiner, 2005), as one element necessary for suicidal ideation (alongside the perception of being a burden — which is not a focus of the present paper; Joiner, 2005; Van Orden et al, 2010). Recent research has identified different profiles of suicidal ideation over time, based on temporal trajectories of risk factors such as belongingness (Bagge et al, 2017; Kyron et al, 2018; Kyron, Badcock, et al, 2019; Kyron, Hooke, et al, 2019; Rogers & Joiner, 2019; Wolford‐Clevenger et al, 2020). Importantly, these studies explored these profiles in a variety of age groups, clinical, and community cohorts, and largely focused on the dual contribution of belongingness and perceived burdensomeness.…”