The Mediating Role of Depression and Hopelessness in the Relationship of Psychological Strain, Rejection Sensitivity, and Defeat With Suicide Ideation in Adolescents in Iran

Objectives:

 Identifying suicidal ideation in adolescents can help timely intervention for those at risk. The present study aims to assess the mediating role of depression and hopelessness in the relationship of psychological strain, rejection sensitivity, and defeat with suicide ideation in adolescents in Iran.

Methods:

 This is a cross-sectional correlational study using the path analysis method. The study population consists of all high school students aged 14-19 years in Lorestan Province in 2021. Of these, 623 were selected using the multi-stage cluster sampling method. To collect data, the suicide probability scale (Cull & Gill, 1988), hospital anxiety and depression scale (Zigmond & Snaith, 1983), psychological strain scale (Zhang et al, 2022), Beck hopelessness scale (Beck et al, 1974), defeat scale (Gilbert & Allan, 1998) and rejection sensitivity questionnaire (Downey & Feldman, 1996) were used. Research hypotheses were tested using Pearson’s correlation test in SPSS software, version 26 and path analysis in AMOS  software, version 24.

Results :

The results of the correlation test showed a positive and significant relationship between psychological strain, rejection sensitivity, and defeat with depression, hopelessness, and suicidal ideation (P<0.05). Defeat was both directly and indirectly related to suicidal ideation. However, the relationship of psychological strain and rejection sensitivity with suicidal ideation was through hopelessness and depression.

Conclusion:

 There is a need for further elucidating the mechanisms of suicidal ideation and behaviors in the study area. This study supports the integrated motivational-volitional model of suicidal behavior.