Moderation effects of perfectionism and discrimination on interpersonal factors and suicide ideation.

Abstract

This study examined the moderating effects of 3 risk factors-perfectionistic personal discrepancy, perfectionistic family discrepancy, and discrimination-on the associations between interpersonal risk factors (i.e., perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness) and suicide ideation in a sample of 466 Asian international students studying in the United States. We focused specifically on perceived discrimination and maladaptive perfectionism as moderating risk factors to Joiner's (2005) interpersonal theory of suicidal behavior. We incorporated both personal and family discrepancy as indicators of maladaptive perfectionism. Personal discrepancy refers to the tendency of individuals to perceive that they failed to meet their own standards, whereas family discrepancy refers to individuals' tendency to perceive that they failed to meet their families' standards. Results highlight the significance of studying this overlooked population in the suicide ideation literature. Maladaptive perfectionism (i.e., personal and family discrepancy) as well as discrimination were found to be positively associated with suicide ideation. Moreover, family discrepancy and perceived discrimination were found to intensify the associations between interpersonal risk factors (i.e., perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness) and suicide ideation. These findings underscore the importance of considering interpersonal factors in addressing suicidal risks with populations from collectivistic cultures. Research and clinical implications are also addressed.

Examining legalism, scrupulosity, family perfectionism, and psychological adjustment among LDS individuals

“…Having higher family standards has been associated with higher self-esteem (Wang, 2010), and family discrepancy has been linked with depressive and anxiety symptoms (Ortega, Wang, Slaney, Hayes, & Morales, 2014). In addition, family discrepancy has been linked to suicidal risks, serving as a moderator that intensifies the positive associations between interpersonal risk factors (i.e., perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness) and suicide ideation (Wang, Wong, & Fu, 2013). Thus, this maladaptive form of perfectionism from one's family is an important factor to examine among LDS individuals who believe that family is at the core of its values.…”

Is Insomnia Lonely? Exploring Thwarted Belongingness as an Explanatory Link between Insomnia and Suicidal Ideation in a Sample of South Korean University Students

“…Research examining young adults raised in collectivistic cultures has found that a heightened tendency to perceive that they failed to meet their family's standards was associated with an intensification of the effect of thwarted belongingness on suicidal ideation. 35 Thus, in a culture that emphasizes community and self-suppression, young adults feeling disconnected from others may be more vulnerable to suicidal desire. Furthermore, individuals from collectivistic cultures tend to be reluctant to discuss symptoms of mental illness and seek treatment, 36 which may exacerbate symptoms.…”

The Mediating Role of Perceived Burdensomeness in Relations Between Domains of Cognitive Functioning and Indicators of Suicide Risk

“…Feelings of liability inherent in perceived burdensomeness are also associated with self‐hatred, shame, and low self‐esteem (Van Orden et al., ). Perceived burdensomeness has received considerable support as a risk factor for suicide ideation in a variety of populations (e.g., Cukrowicz, Cheavens, Van Orden, Ragain, & Cook, ; Wang, Wong, & Fu, ), though only two studies have examined and found links between perceived burdensomeness and elevated suicide ideation in psychiatric inpatients (de Catanzaro, ; Monteith, Menefee, Pettit, Leopoulos, & Vincent, ). In cross‐sectional studies, perceived burdensomeness mediated the relation between depressive symptoms and suicide ideation in older adults (Jahn, Cukrowicz, Linton, & Prabhu, ), as well as the relations between a variety of risk factors (e.g., problematic alcohol use, childhood emotional abuse) and suicide ideation in college students (Lamis & Malone, ; Puzia, Kraines, Liu, & Kleiman, ).…”