The Mediating Role of Rumination in the Relationship between Stressful Life Events and Suicide Ideation among Adolescents

Identifying suicide risk factors is important in intervening in suicide among adolescents. So, the aim of current study was to investigate the mediating role of rumination in the relationship between stressful life events and suicide ideation. The research design was descriptive – correlational. From the male adolescents’ population of Nourabad in academic year of 2019-2020, a total of 318 high school students were selected via multistage cluster sampling method and were tested using Stressful Life Events Inventory (Paykel, Brigitte, Prusoff & Uhlenhuth, 1971), Ruminative Response Scale (Nolen-Hoeksema & Morrow, 1991) and Beck Scale For Suicide Ideation (1979). To analyze the data Pearson correlation and structural equation modeling were conducted. The results showed that direct effect of stressful life events on rumination (β = 0.49, P< 0.001), direct effect of rumination on suicide ideation (β = 0.68, P< 0.001), and the direct effect of stressful life events on suicide ideation (β = 0.11, P< 0.01) were significantly positive. Also, results showed that the mediating role of rumination in the relationship between stressful life events and suicide ideation was significant (β = 0.33, P< 0.01). Based on the findings, it can be concluded that stressful life events and rumination as a cognitive element are two important factors affecting adolescents’ suicide ideation..