Application of the Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicide in a non-clinical community-based adolescent population

Why do adolescents attempt suicide? Insights from leading ideation-to-action suicide theories: a systematic review

Suicide is a leading cause of death among adolescents, and recent suicide theories have sought to clarify the factors that facilitate the transition from suicide ideation to action. Specifically, the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (IPTS), Integrated Motivational-Volitional Model (IMV), and Three Step Theory (3ST) have highlighted risk factors central to the formation of suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviors, which is necessary for suicide death. However, these models were initially developed and tested among adults, and given core socioemotional and neurodevelopmental differences in adolescents, the applicability of these models remains unclear. Directly addressing this gap in knowledge, this systematic review aimed to (1) describe the evidence of leading ideation-to-action theories (i.e., IPTS, IMV, 3ST) as they relate to suicide risk among adolescents, (2) integrate ideation-to-action theories within prevailing biological frameworks of adolescent suicide, and (3) provide recommendations for future adolescent suicide research. Overall, few studies provided a complete test of models in adolescent samples, and empirical research testing components of these theories provided mixed support. Future research would benefit from integrating neurodevelopmental and developmentally sensitive psychosocial frameworks to increase the applicability of ideation-to-action theories to adolescents. Further, utilizing real-time monitoring approaches may serve to further clarify the temporal association among risk factors and suicide.

Perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness as mediators of the relation between anxiety and suicidal ideation among adolescents

INTRODUCTION

Anxiety and suicidal ideation have been shown to be positively related in adolescents. However, less is known about the strength of this association across different types of anxiety or the mechanisms through which this relation exists. Joiner's interpersonal theory of suicide suggests that thwarted belongingness (TB) and perceived burdensomeness (PB) lead to suicidal ideation; these constructs may explain a pathway through which anxiety and suicidal ideation are related. It was hypothesized that TB would mediate the relation between social anxiety disorder (SAD) symptoms and suicidal ideation, and PB would mediate the relation between generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) symptoms and suicidal ideation.

METHODS

These longitudinal mediation models were assessed using data collected from 147 depressed adolescents, who were recently hospitalized for suicidal ideation or behavior, enrolled in a randomized controlled trial (RCT).

RESULTS

Consistent with study hypotheses, PB mediated the relation between GAD symptoms and suicidal ideation severity. However, TB did not mediate the relation between SAD symptoms and suicidal ideation severity.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that screening for and addressing PB among youth with GAD may help reduce risk for suicidal behavior.

Testing the interpersonal theory of suicide in adolescents: A multi-wave longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Suicide is a major public health crisis among youth. Several prominent theories, including the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (IPTS), aim to characterize the factors leading from suicide ideation to action. These theories are largely based on findings in adults and require testing and elaboration in adolescents.

METHODS

Data were examined from high-risk 13-18-year-old adolescents (N = 167) participating in a multi-wave, longitudinal study; 63% of the sample exhibited current suicidal thoughts or recent behaviors (n = 105). The study included a 6-month follow-up period with clinical interviews and self-report measures at each of the four assessments as well as weekly smartphone-based assessments of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Regression and structural equation models were used to probe hypotheses related to the core tenets of the IPTS.

RESULTS

Feelings of perceived burdensomeness were associated with more severe self-reported suicidal ideation (b = 0.58, t(158) = 7.64, p < .001). Similarly, burdensomeness was associated with more frequent ideation based on weekly smartphone ratings (b = 0.11, t(1460) = 3.41, p < .001). Contrary to IPTS hypotheses, neither feelings of thwarted belongingness, nor interactions between burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness were significantly associated with ideation (ps > .05). Only elevated depression severity was associated with greater odds of suicide events (i.e., suicide attempts, psychiatric hospitalizations, and/or emergency department visits for suicide concerns) during the follow-up period (OR = 1.83, t(158) = 2.44, p = .01). No effect of acquired capability was found.

CONCLUSIONS

Perceptions of burdensomeness to others reflect a critical risk factor for suicidal ideation among high-risk adolescents. Null findings with other IPTS constructs may suggest a need to adopt more developmentally sensitive models or measures of interpersonal and acquired capability risk factors for youth. Refining methods and theoretical models of suicide risk may help improve the identification of high-risk cases and inform clinical intervention.

A Prospective Examination of the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicidal Behavior in Adolescents

OBJECTIVE

Given the large and complex array of suicide risk factors, theoretical frameworks are critical to furthering our understanding of risk. This study prospectively examined several key constructs of the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicidal behavior (IPTS) in a large, geographically diverse sample of U.S. adolescents.

METHOD

Conducted in collaboration with the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network, adolescents, ages 12 to 17, were recruited from emergency departments. Baseline and 6-month follow-up samples were comprised of 6,448 (59% female sex) and 2,009 (64% female sex) adolescents, with self-identified race/ethnicity as follows (baseline/follow-up): White (52%/54%), Black (22%/23%), Multiracial (6%/6%), American Indian (3%/3%), other/unknown race (15%/14%), and Latinx (25%/23%). Youth and parents completed adolescent suicide risk surveys at baseline and 6-month follow-up (retention, 69%). Latent class analysis was used to identify classes of painful and provocative events (PPE), considered a precursor to acquired capability.

RESULTS

In keeping with IPTS tenets, thwarted belongingness (TB), perceived burdensomeness (PB), and the interaction between TB and PB were each significant predictors of suicidal ideation at baseline and follow-up. However, only PB and PPE were significant predictors of cross-sectional suicide attempts and only TB and PPE were significant predictors of prospective suicide attempts in models that adjusted for baseline suicidal ideation. The three-way interaction among PB, TB and PPE was nonsignificant.

CONCLUSIONS

Results from this large-scale prospective study suggest the importance of TB, PB, and PPE to our understanding of suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts among adolescents, pointing to promising prevention and intervention targets.

Familism moderates the association between parent-child conflict, interpersonal needs, and suicidal ideation among adolescents

Within the framework of the interpersonal theory of suicide, parent-child conflict in adolescence may be associated with suicidal ideation through increases in thwarted interpersonal needs (i.e., perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness). Familism, a cultural value that emphasizes prioritizing familial interconnectedness and honor, may moderate the association between parent-child conflict and thwarted interpersonal needs. This study examined the relationship between parent-child conflict, familism, and suicidal ideation through the interpersonal theory of suicide. Participants were N = 250 psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents aged 12-17 years (Mage = 14.84, 60.8% female; 41.9% Hispanic, 21.5% African American/Black, 26.0% Caucasian). Participants completed survey and interview measures prior to discharge from psychiatric hospitalization. There was a significant conditional indirect effect of parent-child conflict on suicidal ideation through thwarted interpersonal needs [F (3, 246) = 54.41, p < .01], such that the strength of the indirect effects family conflict on suicidal ideation via thwarted interpersonal needs increased as familism increased. Findings indicate that the relationship between parent-child conflict and thwarted interpersonal needs may be exacerbated when levels of familism are also high. For youth who endorse high levels of familism, parent-child conflict may be particularly pernicious. Interventions targeting the family environment are needed to potentially improve adolescents' interpersonal functioning and protect against suicidal ideation.

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

INTRODUCTION

This study examined daily fluctuations in the unmet interpersonal needs of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness in response to daily negative social interactions, as well as the moderating role of respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) across adolescents at lower and higher risk for suicidal ideation.

METHODS

Fifty five adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD, i.e., higher-risk group) and without MDD (i.e., lower-risk group) completed measures of resting RSA, and daily measures of negative social interactions, perceived burdensomeness, and loneliness, as a proxy for thwarted belongingness, for 10 consecutive days. Within-person analyses examined the association between daily negative social interactions and unmet interpersonal needs, and the moderating roles of RSA and higher-risk group status. Between-person analyses also examined the association between RSA and unmet interpersonal needs across groups.

RESULTS

At the within-person level, participants reported more unmet interpersonal needs on days when they reported more negative social interactions. At the between-person level, higher RSA was associated with decreased loneliness in both groups, and decreased burdensomeness among the higher-risk group.

CONCLUSIONS

Negative social interactions are associated with daily unmet interpersonal needs. Higher RSA may serve as a protective factor mitigating risk for unmet interpersonal needs, particularly burdensomeness, among adolescents at higher risk for suicidal ideation.

The Relationship Between Chronic Pain, Depression, Psychosocial Factors, and Suicidality in Adolescents

BACKGROUND

Chronic pain in youth is often associated with social conflict, depression, and suicidality. The interpersonal theory of suicide posits that there are psychosocial factors, such as peer victimization and lack of fear of pain, that may also influence suicidality.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to determine whether depressive symptoms, peer victimization, and lack of fear of pain predict suicidality in adolescents with chronic pain. It was hypothesized that higher levels of depressive symptoms and peer victimization, and lower levels of fear of pain, would predict a higher lifetime prevalence of suicidality.

METHODS

Participants consisted of 184 youth with primary chronic pain conditions (10 to 18 y, M = 14.27 y). Measures included diagnostic clinical interviews assessing suicidality and self-report questionnaires assessing depressive symptoms, peer victimization, and fear of pain.

RESULTS

Forty-two (22.8%) participants reported suicidality. Regression analyses demonstrated that the occurrence of suicidality was associated with higher rates of depressive symptoms (β = 1.03, P = 0.020, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.06) and peer victimization (β = 2.23, P < 0.05, 95% CI: 1.07, 4.63), though there was no association between lower fear of pain and suicidality.

DISCUSSION

These results suggest that depressive symptoms and peer victimization are significant predictors of suicidality in adolescents with chronic pain; however, lower fear of pain was not shown to be a significant predictor. Given these findings, depression and peer victimization should be further explored and considered in the design and implementation of prevention and early intervention strategies that target chronic pain and suicidality in youth.

Specific anxiety and depression symptoms are risk factors for the onset of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in youth

BACKGROUND

Suicidality research has typically focused on affective disorders to identify at-risk youth. Investigating the predictive role of individual symptoms, particularly anxiety symptoms, may allow for preventative targeting of additional risk factors for suicidal ideation and attempts.

METHODS

This analysis used the Sources of Strength Australia project dataset, a cluster randomised controlled trial which assessed the impact of a schools-based intervention for youth help-seeking over 18 months (Calear et al., 2022). Symptoms of anxiety, depression and distress at baseline were used to predict the onset of suicidal ideation, planning for suicide and suicide attempts at 18 months.

RESULTS

Worry, lack of sleep and anxiety interfering with everyday activities at baseline predicted new onset of suicidal ideation 18 months later. Worry about the future and past, reduced appetite and a belief that life wasn't worth living were risk factors for later suicide plans and attempts. Total scale scores on the scales were typically poor predictors of onset of suicidal behaviours.

LIMITATIONS

Analyses were impacted by dropouts over the 18 month study period and restricted further investigation into potential behaviour transition trajectories.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings identify individual symptom profiles associated with later onset of suicidal behaviour. Broadening the focus beyond depression and hopelessness to incorporate anxiety, worry and reduced sleep as risk factors for suicidality is important for public health and clinical settings.

An Integrated Conceptual Model to Understand Suicidality among Queer Youth to Inform Suicide Prevention

In this article, we apply and combine elements from four theoretical frameworks (i.e., Minority Stress Theory, Person-in-Environment and Risk and Resilience Framework, Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide, and Intersectionality) to explain the problem of queer youth suicide through our integrated conceptual model, Queer Prevention of Youth Suicidality Model (Queer-PRYSM). The need for this conceptual model is based on the current state of the literature, including mixed empirical findings on factors related to queer youth suicidality, no scholarly consensus on specific contributing factors regarding high rates of suicidality among queer youth (including queer youth subgroups), and the absence of a unifying theory to explain the queer youth suicide risk. To address these limitations in theory, evidence, and scholarship explaining suicidality among queer youth we present our integrated model with growing, current, relevant research with queer youth. Queer-PRYSM includes minority stressors specific to queer youth, mental health problems, interpersonal-psychological factors, socioecological factors (i.e., family, school, peers, and community), and intersectionality concepts. Queer-PRYSM is essential to understanding the relationship of distal and proximal risk and protective factors in queer youth suicide and developing evidence-informed suicide preventive interventions that can be incorporated into practice, policy, and system structures.

Adolescent Psychological Assistance Treatment Strategy Integrating Home-School Coordination and Network Information

With the continuous satisfaction of material life, teenagers' physical health has been generally improved, and all aspects of competition have posed a challenge to teenagers' mental health. Therefore, both at the family level and at the school level, teenagers' mental health education has been paid more and more attention. The school cooperative education model came into being, which has had an important impact on the mental health education of teenagers. Family education is the first level of education for teenagers. Parents' role model, family education concept, and education model all play a key role in the development of children's mental health. Based on this, this paper will focus on optimizing the home-school cooperation strategy, further clarify the main responsibilities of the school, teachers, and parents in the home-school cooperation education in the strategy, establish and improve the home-school cooperation mechanism based on this, and focus on the cultivation of parents' mental health education and teachers' mental health guidance professional skills in this process. Based on the current situation of network home-school mental health coordination and mental health education, this study takes teenagers as the research object, aiming at the common psychological problems in learning, social adaptation, and interpersonal communication, and tries to study the problems of promoting teenagers' mental health from the perspective of integrity and development. The developed home-school collaboration method is to verify that the network home-school collaboration method is more effective than the traditional home-school collaboration method in promoting the mental health development of primary school students, so as to provide a reference for the theory and practice of home-school collaboration under the network environment to carry out mental health education. According to the corresponding network information intelligent algorithm, this paper constantly adjusts the coordination strategy between family and school and guides teenagers to internalize the corresponding excellent behaviour into their own habits. In the experimental part, the psychological assistance treatment scheme proposed in this paper is verified and analysed. The experimental results show that the psychological assistance treatment program for adolescents proposed in this paper has obvious effects. School education has a special mental health counseling center and special psychological teachers, which can carry out mental health education more scientifically. The unity and cooperation between family education and school education can combine the educational power of parents and schools to fully develop the mental health of teenagers.