Citation

Ren Y, Zhang X, You J, Jiang Y, Lin MP, Leung F. J. Clin. Psychol. (Hoboken) 2018; 74(7): 1174-1188.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/jclp.22573

PMID

29251781

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Adolescence is a developmental period associated with a heightened risk for suicidal ideation. During this phase of life, individuals tend to focus on both intrapersonal self and interpersonal relationships. Thus, it is of much significance to understand the roles of intrapersonal and interpersonal factors in the development of suicidal ideation among adolescents. The present study examined the reciprocal associations between identity disturbance, relationship disturbance, and suicidal ideation by using a three-wave cross-lag model in a sample of adolescents.
METHOD: A number of 3,600 Chinese adolescents (56.6% females, mean age = 14.58 years) completed questionnaires assessing the three main study variables as well as depressive symptoms, anxiety, and suicidal attempts three times at 6-month intervals.
RESULTS: After controlling for gender, age, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and suicidal attempts, relationship disturbance significantly predicted suicidal ideation over time, and vice versa. Suicidal ideation significantly predicted identity disturbance over time, but not vice versa. We also found the mediating effect of relationship disturbance in the path from identity disturbance to suicidal ideation.
CONCLUSION: The results suggested the important role of previous relationship disturbance in predicting later suicidal ideation. Theoretical and clinical implications of these findings were discussed.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Male; Adolescent; adolescents; Depression; Adolescent Behavior; Suicidal Ideation; Suicide, Attempted; Surveys and Questionnaires; suicidal ideation; Gender Identity; Interpersonal Relations; Asian People; Identity Crisis; cross-lag model; identity disturbance; relationship disturbance