The Mediating Effect of Depression on the Relation Between Interpersonal Needs and Suicidal Ideation Among Chinese Transgender Women

Abstract

BackgroundTransgender women are at high risk of depression and suicidal ideation. The interpersonal theory of suicide proposes that suicidal ideation could be a consequence of high interpersonal needs (thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness). The current study tests this theory and investigates whether depression could mediate the relationship between interpersonal needs and suicidal ideation among transgender women in Shenyang, China.MethodsA total of 198 transgender women were recruited by snowball sampling. A cross-sectional study was conducted through a structured questionnaire. Suicidal ideation, depression, and interpersonal needs were assessed. Path analysis was used to carry out the research goals and the mediating effect of depression was tested.ResultsThere were nearly 37% of the participants reported lifetime suicidal ideation. Suicidal ideation was positively correlated with thwarted belongingness (t = −5.53, p < 0.01) and perceived burdensomeness (t = −5.02, p < 0.01). The direct effect from thwarted belongingness to suicidal ideation via depression was statistically significant (Std. β = 0.232, p < 0.01). Depression could also mediate the indirect path from perceived burdensomeness to suicidal ideation through depression (Std. β = 0.222, p < 0.01) although the direct path between them was not significant (Std. β = 0.046, p = 0.693).ConclusionsDepression fully mediated the relationship between perceived burdensomeness and suicidal ideation, and partially mediate the relationship between thwarted belongingness and suicidal ideation. To reduce the risk of suicidal ideation among transgender women, interventions targeting thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and depression are needed.

The prevalence of childhood sexual experiences and intimate partner violence among transgender women in China: Risk factors for lifetime suicidal ideation

“…In addition, these two IPVs appear through physical and verbal IPV among TW, which lead to non-significant results. Although some studies showed that both IPV and CSEs are associated with depression ( 12 , 35 ), anxiety ( 50 , 51 ), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) ( 35 , 52 ), etc., which are related to suicide ( 7 , 10 , 30 , 53 ), few studies explored whether these factors mediate the pathway from IPV/CSEs to suicidal ideation. Future research is needed to focus on the processes or mechanisms among these factors, especially among TW in China.…”