Suicide research can be enhanced by an ability to safely manipulate putative causal variables. The present studies developed an experimental task to modify risk factors identified by the interpersonal theory of suicide (perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness) and examine their hypothesized suppressive effect on persistence in adversity in undergraduate university students. Variables that may moderate the impact of these risk factors on persistence (zest for life and mindful awareness) were incorporated as potential resilience factors. Study 1 (N = 92) found elevated burdensomeness and diminished belongingness significantly impaired persistence. Additionally, these predicted effects were moderated by individual differences in zest for life. In Study 2 (N = 52), individuals trained in mindfulness prior to the experimental task displayed greater persistence relative to controls. Findings provide experimental support for the role of perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness in the manner predicted by the interpersonal theory, and demonstrate a way to experimentally test the effects of resilience factors that reduce the impact of these interpersonal factors. (PsycINFO Database Record

Findings suggest that mindfulness protects against suicidal desire in conditions of heightened risk and adversity by enhancing one's orientation towards a life worth living. Theories of suicide should consider the dynamic interplay between risk and life-sustaining resilience, while clinicians treating suicidality could use mindfulness strategies to strengthen the desire to (re)engage with life, thereby complementing direct amelioration of suicide risk factors.

According to the interpersonal theory of suicide, perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness are proximal causal factors underlying suicidal desire. The current study examined whether a brief mindfulness intervention can attenuate the deleterious effects of these interpersonal factors on desire to escape, a potential antecedent to suicide risk. Participants (N = 92) completed a computerised team task designed to manipulate perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness (high or low PB/TB) and were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: (1) low PB/TB without intervention, (2) high PB/TB without intervention, (3) high PB/TB with a brief mindfulness intervention administered at the halfway point, or (4) high PB/TB with a brief unfocused attention intervention administered at the halfway point. As expected, simultaneous induction of perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness increased desire to escape in the initial stages of the task in all three high PB/TB conditions. However, the mindfulness intervention attenuated the effects of the interpersonal factors on desire to escape across the latter stages of the task relative to the unfocused attention intervention and the high PB/TB condition where no intervention was administered. Findings suggest that mindfulness interventions may protect against the type of interpersonal adversity causally implicated in suicidal desire.

Acknowledgments: Thank you to the Perth Clinic staff who assisted with the collection of data for this study and their ongoing assistance with queries about the DBT programs.

Meaning-making interventions may attenuate the impact of proximal interpersonal antecedents of suicidal desire. Enhancing resilience in this manner can potentially improve the efficacy of prevention efforts beyond the direct amelioration of suicide risk factors.