Suicidal Ideation and Its Correlates: Testing the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide in Chinese Students

Abstract

The present study explored the validity of Joiner's interpersonal theory of suicide in a sample of 439 Chinese university students 17 to 24 years of age. The results indicated that the three elements of the theory (thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and acquired capability for self-harm) were associated with current suicidal ideation in the total sample of students. For men, only thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness predicted suicidal ideation, whereas all three elements of the theory predicted suicidal ideation for women. Multiple regression analyses, controlling for other variables, supported the role of burdensomeness and acquired capability for suicide, but not thwarted belongingness.

Keywords:

• China
• college students
• suicidal ideation
• suicide
• theory

Notes

Note. #Age year was coded on this scale: 1 = 17 and younger, 2 = 18, 3 = 19, 4 = 20, 5 = 21, 6 = 22, 7 = 23, 8 = 24, 9 = 25, 10 = 26 and older. The value of 4.65 equals the mean age of 20.65 years for the sample.

***Two-tailed p < .001.

Note. *Two-tailed p < .05.

**Two-tailed p < .01.

***Two-tailed p < .001.