Volume 24, Issue 95 (12-2024)
refahj 2024, 24(95): 0-0 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Asghari Vervjani L, Bakhshayesh A, Dehghani F. (2024). Predicting Suicide Ideation Based on Cognitive Emotion Regulation Mediated by Thwarted Belongingness among Adolescents. refahj. 24(95), : 4 doi:10.32598/refahj.24.95.4427.1
URL: http://refahj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-4275-en.html
URL: http://refahj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-4275-en.html
Full-Text [PDF 1115 kb]
(2913 Downloads)
| Abstract (HTML) (1200 Views)
Full-Text: (211 Views)
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Adolescence is the period between childhood and adulthood, and this transition occurs in all aspects of behavioral, ethical, emotional, and social life. The individual desires to change from a childish temperament (Keshavarz, Mirzaei, & Mohammad Jani, 2018). Adolescents, given characteristics such as imbalance and instability of emotions, intolerance to hearing criticism and reproach, inability to tolerate failures, feelings of despair and hopelessness, premature romantic inclinations, anxiety and worry about their academic, professional, and economic future, need for affection and kindness, need for respect, independence, appreciation, the need for a sense of identity and self-recognition, and the need to have a clear and specific goal in life, show more fragility at moments in life when they face specific problems, especially when they feel there is no way back (Hossein Pour, Ghaffari, & Mehrabizadeh Honarmand, 2004).
According to statistics released by the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly one million people lose their lives to suicide each year (WHO, 2010). Additionally, in recent years, there has been a significant increase in suicide among adolescents and young adults (Sadri Damirchi, Kiani, & Khakdol Ghoojeh Beigloo, 2017). Adolescents with a history of self-harm behaviors are at risk for suicide due to facing conditions of pain, suffering, and an increased pain tolerance threshold (Hakim Shoushtari & Khanipour, 2014).
Suicidal ideation is defined under various terms, such as incomplete suicide, unsuccessful suicide, suicidal gesture, etc. Suicidal ideation includes mental preoccupations with non-existence and a desire to die that have not yet taken practical form (Eslami Nasab, 1992). Despite various research on the factors affecting suicide, Witte and colleagues (2005) believe that the factor of suicidal ideation has been neglected in suicidology. They contend that changes in suicidal ideation are the most important aspect of suicide and are better predictors of suicide than other protective and risk factors. According to research, there has been a significant increase in the percentage of suicidal behaviors, suicidal ideation, and death-leading attempts in many developing countries over the past decade. Additionally, life stress events can in turn increase the risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors (Pourhosein et al., 2014). In recent decades, most research on suicide has been dominated by Joiner’s interpersonal-psychological theory (2005).
According to the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide, the occurrence of complete suicide or suicidal thoughts requires the presence of three essential variables: 1- The perception of being a burden, 2- Thwarted belongingness, 3- Acquired capability for suicide (Anestis & Joiner, 2011). The first two factors motivate the individual to commit suicide, and the third factor enables the practical implementation of suicidal thoughts (Hakim Shoushtari & Khanipour, 2014).
This theory claims that the inclination towards suicide occurs as a result of the presence of two factors: thwarted belongingness and the perception of being a burden (Ribeiro & Joiner, 2009). The concept of thwarted belongingness is related to isolation and social relationships and is one of the most significant predictors of suicidal behaviors. This factor is particularly important due to its connection with human psychological needs, to the extent that it is referred to as the “need to belong”. The perception of being a burden is a feeling that an individual considers their existence as a burden to family, friends, or society. This feeling may be accompanied by thoughts that it would be better if the person died or that the family’s situation would improve in their absence (Van Orden et al., 2010).
In this regard, the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide has shown that social isolation is one of the most important predictors of suicidal ideation throughout life. It is assumed that social connection variables are related to suicide because they are observable indicators that show one of the fundamental human needs is not being met. When this need is not satisfied, a state arises called thwarted belongingness, and a kind of desire for death develops (Kiani Chalmardi, Jamshidian, & Rashid, 2018).
One of the fundamental weaknesses of the interpersonal-psychological theory and other models examining suicidal behaviors such as complete suicide, suicide attempts, and suicidal ideation, is the neglect of the important role of emotion and emotion regulation processes. Accordingly, research results indicate that there is a direct relationship between maladaptive emotion regulation strategies and suicidal ideation (Hasani & Miraghaei, 2012). Research has shown that cognitive emotion regulation strategies are positively correlated with suicidal ideation, meaning that the more individuals use these strategies, the more their correlation with suicidal ideation increases (Sadri Damirchi, Kiani, & Khakdol Ghoojeh Beigloo, 2017).
Method
The current research, in terms of its objective, is a fundamental study and is descriptive in method, with a correlational research design. The statistical population of this study consisted of female high school students in Tehran during the 2020-2021 academic year. Although there is no consensus on the required sample size for structural models, many researchers have stated that the minimum necessary sample size is 200 (Habibi & Adnvar, 2017). The sample size of this study was 230 individuals who were selected through convenience sampling and responded to the questionnaire items.
Findings
A total of 230 individuals participated in this study. The age distribution was as follows: 33 individuals (14.3%) were 15 years old, 52 individuals (22.6%) were 16 years old, 90 individuals (39.1%) were 17 years old, and 55 individuals (23.9%) were 18 years old. The mean and standard deviation of the respondents’ ages were 16.72 and 0.98, respectively, with a minimum age of 15 and a maximum age of 18. This section first presents the initial model and then the final model after removing non-significant relationships and modifying the initial model. Subsequently, the goodness-of-fit indices of the estimated model and the main parameters (direct and indirect effects) are reported in figures and tables.
The overall evaluation indices of the model, considering the desirable range for these indices, collectively indicate that the hypothesized model is supported by the research data. In other words, the data fit is satisfactory.
Discussion
Individuals who use positive emotion regulation strategies in stressful conditions, by changing their thought processes, cause a reduction in emotional pressures in situations that entail significant psychological stress, leading to a decrease in negative emotional behaviors and experiences. These individuals, with the ability to properly regulate emotions, ensure physical, social, and physiological health, as well as healthier relationships, and better job and academic efficiency.
By thinking about positive and pleasant events instead of negative and unpleasant ones, by attributing positive meaning to events, and by de-emphasizing negative events, these individuals experience less anxiety and tension compared to those who use negative emotion regulation strategies more frequently. Indeed, the use of such positive strategies leads to a reduction in negative emotions and an improvement in cognitive functions, enabling the individual to confront problems and reduce suicidal thoughts in crises. Conversely, adolescents who lack self-awareness and understanding usually struggle with effective emotion regulation.
In stressful situations, they do not have good control over their emotions and become severely stressed and agitated, ultimately reducing their adaptability to these conditions. Individuals using negative emotion regulation attempt to suppress their emotions and negative feelings, but this suppression leads to the return and intensification of negative emotions. These individuals cannot usually understand and be aware of emotions, achieve adaptive action, and regulate emotions in themselves and others.
Ethical considerations
Author’s Contributions: The first author has contributed to the design, implementation, and writing of the sections of the current research. The second and third authors have supervised all stages.
Fundin: No direct financial support was received from any institution or organization for the preparation of this article.
Conflicts of interest: This article does not overlap with other published works of the authors.
Following the ethics of research: All rights related to research ethics have been observed in this article
Introduction
Adolescence is the period between childhood and adulthood, and this transition occurs in all aspects of behavioral, ethical, emotional, and social life. The individual desires to change from a childish temperament (Keshavarz, Mirzaei, & Mohammad Jani, 2018). Adolescents, given characteristics such as imbalance and instability of emotions, intolerance to hearing criticism and reproach, inability to tolerate failures, feelings of despair and hopelessness, premature romantic inclinations, anxiety and worry about their academic, professional, and economic future, need for affection and kindness, need for respect, independence, appreciation, the need for a sense of identity and self-recognition, and the need to have a clear and specific goal in life, show more fragility at moments in life when they face specific problems, especially when they feel there is no way back (Hossein Pour, Ghaffari, & Mehrabizadeh Honarmand, 2004).
According to statistics released by the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly one million people lose their lives to suicide each year (WHO, 2010). Additionally, in recent years, there has been a significant increase in suicide among adolescents and young adults (Sadri Damirchi, Kiani, & Khakdol Ghoojeh Beigloo, 2017). Adolescents with a history of self-harm behaviors are at risk for suicide due to facing conditions of pain, suffering, and an increased pain tolerance threshold (Hakim Shoushtari & Khanipour, 2014).
Suicidal ideation is defined under various terms, such as incomplete suicide, unsuccessful suicide, suicidal gesture, etc. Suicidal ideation includes mental preoccupations with non-existence and a desire to die that have not yet taken practical form (Eslami Nasab, 1992). Despite various research on the factors affecting suicide, Witte and colleagues (2005) believe that the factor of suicidal ideation has been neglected in suicidology. They contend that changes in suicidal ideation are the most important aspect of suicide and are better predictors of suicide than other protective and risk factors. According to research, there has been a significant increase in the percentage of suicidal behaviors, suicidal ideation, and death-leading attempts in many developing countries over the past decade. Additionally, life stress events can in turn increase the risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors (Pourhosein et al., 2014). In recent decades, most research on suicide has been dominated by Joiner’s interpersonal-psychological theory (2005).
According to the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide, the occurrence of complete suicide or suicidal thoughts requires the presence of three essential variables: 1- The perception of being a burden, 2- Thwarted belongingness, 3- Acquired capability for suicide (Anestis & Joiner, 2011). The first two factors motivate the individual to commit suicide, and the third factor enables the practical implementation of suicidal thoughts (Hakim Shoushtari & Khanipour, 2014).
This theory claims that the inclination towards suicide occurs as a result of the presence of two factors: thwarted belongingness and the perception of being a burden (Ribeiro & Joiner, 2009). The concept of thwarted belongingness is related to isolation and social relationships and is one of the most significant predictors of suicidal behaviors. This factor is particularly important due to its connection with human psychological needs, to the extent that it is referred to as the “need to belong”. The perception of being a burden is a feeling that an individual considers their existence as a burden to family, friends, or society. This feeling may be accompanied by thoughts that it would be better if the person died or that the family’s situation would improve in their absence (Van Orden et al., 2010).
In this regard, the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide has shown that social isolation is one of the most important predictors of suicidal ideation throughout life. It is assumed that social connection variables are related to suicide because they are observable indicators that show one of the fundamental human needs is not being met. When this need is not satisfied, a state arises called thwarted belongingness, and a kind of desire for death develops (Kiani Chalmardi, Jamshidian, & Rashid, 2018).
One of the fundamental weaknesses of the interpersonal-psychological theory and other models examining suicidal behaviors such as complete suicide, suicide attempts, and suicidal ideation, is the neglect of the important role of emotion and emotion regulation processes. Accordingly, research results indicate that there is a direct relationship between maladaptive emotion regulation strategies and suicidal ideation (Hasani & Miraghaei, 2012). Research has shown that cognitive emotion regulation strategies are positively correlated with suicidal ideation, meaning that the more individuals use these strategies, the more their correlation with suicidal ideation increases (Sadri Damirchi, Kiani, & Khakdol Ghoojeh Beigloo, 2017).
Method
The current research, in terms of its objective, is a fundamental study and is descriptive in method, with a correlational research design. The statistical population of this study consisted of female high school students in Tehran during the 2020-2021 academic year. Although there is no consensus on the required sample size for structural models, many researchers have stated that the minimum necessary sample size is 200 (Habibi & Adnvar, 2017). The sample size of this study was 230 individuals who were selected through convenience sampling and responded to the questionnaire items.
Findings
A total of 230 individuals participated in this study. The age distribution was as follows: 33 individuals (14.3%) were 15 years old, 52 individuals (22.6%) were 16 years old, 90 individuals (39.1%) were 17 years old, and 55 individuals (23.9%) were 18 years old. The mean and standard deviation of the respondents’ ages were 16.72 and 0.98, respectively, with a minimum age of 15 and a maximum age of 18. This section first presents the initial model and then the final model after removing non-significant relationships and modifying the initial model. Subsequently, the goodness-of-fit indices of the estimated model and the main parameters (direct and indirect effects) are reported in figures and tables.
| Indicator | CMIN | GFI | TAG | CFI | DF | CMIN/DF | RMSEA | NFI | IF |
| amount | 143/51 | 0/92 | 0/94 | 0/95 | 71 | 2/02 | 0/06 | 0/92 | 0/95 |
| Acceptable domain | - | 0/9< | 0/9< | 0/9< | - | 3> | 0/08> | 0/9< | 0/9< |
The overall evaluation indices of the model, considering the desirable range for these indices, collectively indicate that the hypothesized model is supported by the research data. In other words, the data fit is satisfactory.
Discussion
Individuals who use positive emotion regulation strategies in stressful conditions, by changing their thought processes, cause a reduction in emotional pressures in situations that entail significant psychological stress, leading to a decrease in negative emotional behaviors and experiences. These individuals, with the ability to properly regulate emotions, ensure physical, social, and physiological health, as well as healthier relationships, and better job and academic efficiency.
By thinking about positive and pleasant events instead of negative and unpleasant ones, by attributing positive meaning to events, and by de-emphasizing negative events, these individuals experience less anxiety and tension compared to those who use negative emotion regulation strategies more frequently. Indeed, the use of such positive strategies leads to a reduction in negative emotions and an improvement in cognitive functions, enabling the individual to confront problems and reduce suicidal thoughts in crises. Conversely, adolescents who lack self-awareness and understanding usually struggle with effective emotion regulation.
In stressful situations, they do not have good control over their emotions and become severely stressed and agitated, ultimately reducing their adaptability to these conditions. Individuals using negative emotion regulation attempt to suppress their emotions and negative feelings, but this suppression leads to the return and intensification of negative emotions. These individuals cannot usually understand and be aware of emotions, achieve adaptive action, and regulate emotions in themselves and others.
Ethical considerations
Author’s Contributions: The first author has contributed to the design, implementation, and writing of the sections of the current research. The second and third authors have supervised all stages.
Fundin: No direct financial support was received from any institution or organization for the preparation of this article.
Conflicts of interest: This article does not overlap with other published works of the authors.
Following the ethics of research: All rights related to research ethics have been observed in this article
Type of Study: orginal |
Received: 2023/11/4 | Accepted: 2024/09/7 | Published: 2024/12/30
Received: 2023/11/4 | Accepted: 2024/09/7 | Published: 2024/12/30
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
Contact Information
Social Welfare Quarterly
Social Welfare Quarterly, Social Welfare Research Department, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Daneshjoo Blvd, Evin, Tehran, Iran, 19857-13834
Journal Tel: 02171732851
Website: http://refahj.uswr.ac.ir
Email: refahj@uswr.ac.ir
