The Role of Autonomy Needs in Suicidal Ideation: Integrating the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide and Self-Determination Theory

Abstract

This study investigated the role of autonomy satisfaction in the development of suicidal ideation by integrating two theoretical models of suicide-related behaviors. The first hypothesized a direct effect of autonomy on suicidal ideation. The second hypothesized an indirect effect of autonomy on suicidal ideation via perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness. This was a cross-sectional study of 449 college students, who were predominantly female (73.1%) and Hispanic (70.6%), with a mean age of 20.40 years (SD = 4.38, range 18–50 years). Participants were recruited from a psychology participant pool and completed self-report survey measures for course credit. The model of indirect effects provided the best fit to the data; relatedness, autonomy, and competence were significantly associated with higher thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness, which, in turn, were significantly associated with higher suicidal ideation. Future studies should test this model longitudinally and consider autonomy as a possible avenue for the prevention of suicide-related behaviors.

Keywords:

• autonomy
• college students
• interpersonal-psychological theory
• self-determination theory
• suicidal ideation

Notes

Note. All correlations significant, p < .001; Standard deviations are in parentheses.

Note. Reported X² values are from robust estimation procedures and were not used for X² difference testing; CFI = Comparative fit index; TLI = Tucker Lewis index; RMSEA = Root mean square error of approximation; SRMR = Standardized Root Mean Square Residual; AIC = Akaike information criterion; BIC = Bayesian information criterion.

¹The interaction between thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness was entered into both models but resulted in worse overall fit to the data in both cases; therefore, the interaction was not included in the results presented here.