Do measures of social support and social distress share general factors associated with suicidal ideation and attempts?

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-30-2024

Publication Title

Suicide & life-threatening behavior

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Aspects of social relationships have variably been associated with suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempts (SAs). This study assessed whether social support and social distress measures have general factors versus measure-specific factors that are associated with suicide risk.

METHODS: Adults (N = 455, 60.0% female), admitted to psychiatric inpatient units following a recent suicide attempt or active SI, completed assessments of social support (emotional support, instrumental support, friendship, perceived support from significant others, friends, family) and social distress (loneliness, perceived rejection, perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness). Bifactor modeling examined general and specific factors of social support and distress in relation to SI (week prior to hospitalization, via the Beck Scale for SI) and SAs (past 30 days, via the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale).

RESULTS: SI was significantly associated with the general social support (B = -1.51), the general social distress (B = 1.67), and the specific perceived burdensomeness (B = 1.57) factors. SAs were significantly associated with the specific Perceived Rejection (OR = 1.05) and Thwarted Belongingness (OR = 0.91) factors.

CONCLUSION: General social support and social distress were associated with SI but not recent SAs. Specific social distress factors were also related to SI and SAs controlling for general social distress, suggesting areas for future interventions.

PubMed ID

38813963

ePublication

ePub ahead of print

Find It @ Sladen

Share

COinS