Research on suicidal ideation indicates the significant role of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and early parental attachment but fails to investigate risk potential in student populations....Show moreResearch on suicidal ideation indicates the significant role of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and early parental attachment but fails to investigate risk potential in student populations. This study aimed to research how adverse childhood experiences in a population of university students who report mood and stress problems are related to suicidal ideation and whether the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and suicidal ideation is moderated by attachment style. To target students at risk for suicidal ideation, purposive sampling was employed. An independent samples t-test with consecutive multiple regression (n= 234) showed that adverse childhood experiences, measured with the ACE questionnaire, predicted the presence and severity of suicidal ideation, measured by the BSSI. Consecutive ANCOVA showed that disorganized attachment to the mother and father, measured with the PBI, were found to predict suicidal ideation. Secure attachment was negatively associated with suicidal ideation, whereas for avoidant and anxious attachment there was no association found. A logistic regression analysis showed no moderation effect of insecure attachment styles in the relation between adverse childhood experiences and suicidal ideation. Gender, academic pressure, and nationality were controlled. Findings may be limited due to methodological and performance flaws. The results highlight the importance of early identification of adverse childhood experiences and disorganized attachment for intervention and prevention of later suicidal ideation amongst students.Show less
Background: In the Netherlands, suicide was the primary death cause in people under 30 in 2022. An antecedent of suicide is suicidal ideation and its prevalence varies between 14.3-22.6% in...Show moreBackground: In the Netherlands, suicide was the primary death cause in people under 30 in 2022. An antecedent of suicide is suicidal ideation and its prevalence varies between 14.3-22.6% in adolescents. Previous attempts to explain and predict suicidality led to the elaboration of several theories. However, while addressing behaviours aimed at the destruction of the ego, these theories overlook the ego’s role. Objective: This study investigated whether the ego function of mentalization moderates the relationship between perceived burdensomeness (PB)/thwarted belongingness (TB) and suicidal ideation (SI) among 17–26-year-old adolescents. This research could expand the Interpersonal Psychological Theory (IPT) of Suicidal Behavior framework. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, we collected data via several online questionnaires. The final sample size consisted of 99 18-26 years old Leiden University students. Data was analyzed using a correlation matrix and two hierarchical regression analyses corresponding to the two moderation models tested. Results: All the variables were significantly correlated to one another. Additionally, PB (p < .001) and TB (p < .001) positively predicted SI. Mentalization did not moderate the relationships between PB/TB and SI. Therefore, the moderation models were not supported. An additional linear regression was conducted as an exploratory analysis and revealed that mentalization negatively predicted SI (p < .05). Conclusion: In adolescents, lower mentalization might relate to more PB, TB and SI. Additionally, higher PB and TB might predict more SI. The exploratory analysis revealed that lower mentalization ability might also predict more SI in adolescents. However, mentalization did not moderate the relationships between PB/TB and SI and possible reasons for this are discussed. The theoretical implications are that the investigation of ego functions’ roles in suicidality and mentalization in the context of IPT may hold promise and current suicide theories may indeed be incomplete. Practical implications are related to suggesting new intervention targets among suicidal adolescents.Show less
Bullying is a phenomenon that is widespread in schools and workplace but is also occurring online in the form of cyberbullying. Previous studies have indicated that bullying is negatively related...Show moreBullying is a phenomenon that is widespread in schools and workplace but is also occurring online in the form of cyberbullying. Previous studies have indicated that bullying is negatively related to social support and self-esteem. Social support and self-esteem thus constitute protective factors in the relation to bullying. Further, it was expected that bullying will be positively related to the negative mental health outcomes loneliness, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. To investigate the relations between bullying and social support, self-esteem, loneliness, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation the present study used the network approach to integrate all the variables and visualize their relations. The data was taken from the WARN-D project, where 453 participants aged between 18 and 53 (M = 22.7, SD = 4) filled out questionnaires about various mental health aspects including the seven variables used in the present study. Results show that the hypothesized positive relationships between bullying and mental health outcomes are present in the network. The same holds for the negative relationships between bullying and the protective factors. In conclusion, the present study provides an important framework for theory development and further use of the network approach in the field of bullying.Show less
The prevalence rate of suicidal ideation among university students is high. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), as a social determinant of mental health, are amongst many predictive factors that...Show moreThe prevalence rate of suicidal ideation among university students is high. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), as a social determinant of mental health, are amongst many predictive factors that influence suicidal ideation. This research paper aimed to investigate the effect that different childhood maltreatment types (physical abuse/ neglect, emotional abuse/ neglect, and sexual abuse) have on adolescents’ suicidal ideation (aged 17-26). To investigate those effects in a non-clinical population, a cross-sectional study was conducted amongst Leiden University students (N = 133). The data was collected via two online Self-Report Questionnaires (the Suicidal Ideation Attribution Scale and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire Short Form). While adverse childhood experiences were reported in 35,3 percent of respondents, suicidal ideation was present in 51,9 percent of the respondents. Overall, the simple linear regression model provided clear results on the predictive effect ACEs have on adolescents’ suicidal ideation (F(1, 131) = 17.419, p < .001, R² = 0.117). According to the multiple linear regression model, only emotional abuse proved to be a significant maltreatment predictor of suicidal ideation (t(127) = 3.989, p < .001, f ² = .27). The obtained results can serve as a justification for the inclusion of social determinants as a direct predictor of suicidal ideation in existing theories and models. Further, the findings can provide vindication for policy changes and the execution of better suicide prevention work on multiple levels of society. If the findings are implemented successfully, then “one’s Beginning no longer has to be one’s End”.Show less
Background: University students with autism are more likely to experience mental health issues during their studies than their neurotypical peers. The exact role of loneliness and meaning in life...Show moreBackground: University students with autism are more likely to experience mental health issues during their studies than their neurotypical peers. The exact role of loneliness and meaning in life in the mental health of students with autism is unknown. Aim: To investigate the impact that loneliness and meaning in life have on different mental health outcomes for university students with and without a diagnosis of autism. The examined mental health outcomes were depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Methods: Online survey. The sample consisted of 59 students with autism and 163 neurotypical university students in the Netherlands. Results: Students with autism reported lower levels of meaning in life and higher levels of loneliness, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation than their neurotypical peers. Both loneliness and low meaning in life could significantly predict all the mental outcomes. Loneliness was also predictor of low meaning in life. For participants with autism, there was no evidence of meaning in life mediating the relationship of loneliness with depression and anxiety. However, meaning in life fully mediated the effect that loneliness has on suicidal ideation. Regarding the neurotypical sample, there was evidence of a partial mediation of meaning in life for all three mental health outcomes. Conclusion: Students with autism are at greater risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Both loneliness and low meaning in life may contribute to this. If replicated, universities may be advised to offer social support, as well as interventions targeting meaning in life to their students with autism.Show less
Background: Social determinants - such as demographic, social, economic, and environmental factors - in our day-to-day life influence our mental health on a large scale, and it has been known that...Show moreBackground: Social determinants - such as demographic, social, economic, and environmental factors - in our day-to-day life influence our mental health on a large scale, and it has been known that our interactions with our environment affect us greatly. Evidence that support this matter is growing, especially the effect social determinants have on suicidality. Although research and clinical practices try to include this aspect, they fail to properly address the importance of the said social determinants in regard to mental health and suicide. Pre-existing literature considers social connectedness as nothing more than an indirect factor regarding mental health and suicidality, and only a small amount of research has focused on this aspect. Additionally, evidence shows that international students are at risk of developing mental health problems and suicidal ideation. Objective: This study aims to investigate the relationship between perceived social connectedness and suicidal ideation in international students. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted through Qualtrics, recruiting Leiden University students (n = 139). In order to test suicidal ideation, the Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale (SIDAS) was used. To test perceived social connectedness, Social Connectedness Scale - Revised (SCS-R) was used. Respondents were also asked about their nationality in order to determine whether or not they were domestic or international students. The final sample included in order to perform simple linear regression was n = 55. Results: The results showed that higher perceived social connectedness significantly predicts lower suicidal ideation in international students and explains 16.7% of the variance in the population. Conclusions: Overall, the effect of social connectedness on suicidal ideation is evident. Without doubt, there are social determinants that contribute to our mental health and with the investigation of its components, we would be able to improve both theories of suicide and clinical interventions.Show less
In the Netherlands, suicide is the leading cause of death in youths aged 10 – 20. As emphasised by the World Health Organisation, suicide is preventable. Early identification of those at risk of...Show moreIn the Netherlands, suicide is the leading cause of death in youths aged 10 – 20. As emphasised by the World Health Organisation, suicide is preventable. Early identification of those at risk of suicide is essential to provide suitable care. Previous research has shown that those who have experienced adverse life events are at a greater risk of suicide. The Icelandic Model for Primary Prevention of Substance Abuse (IPM) is a pioneering preventative model. The main goal of this model is to prevent substance abuse in Icelandic youths. One major aspect of the IPM is community-building. Community building has shown to be able to aid in not only preventing substance abuse, but suicidality as well, as social isolation is a risk factor for suicidality. This study attempted to assess how youth suicidality, negative life events, and community support interconnect, and whether this relationship is the same in the Netherlands and Iceland. Results showed a significant relationship between negative life events and suicidal thoughts in youths. In the Netherlands, a small moderating effect of community support on this relationship was found; this was not found in Iceland. The relationship between negative life events, suicidal thoughts and community support is different in the two countries. This means that from this research, there is not enough data to support the idea that the IPM could help significantly reduce youth suicidality in the Netherlands through increased community support. Further research could focus more broadly on suicidal behaviour, rather than suicidal thoughts, in relation to community support and negative life events.Show less
Background: Suicidal ideation is a grave symptom of major depressive disorder (MDD), that can have long-lasting cognitive effects. Cognitive Reactivity (CR) is the reactivation of depressogenic...Show moreBackground: Suicidal ideation is a grave symptom of major depressive disorder (MDD), that can have long-lasting cognitive effects. Cognitive Reactivity (CR) is the reactivation of depressogenic cognitions by dysphoric mood states, after recovery. CR is important as it predicts relapse. Previous studies found that individuals who have contemplated suicide may be particularly vulnerable to reactivation of depressive cognitions; however, suicidal ideation was assessed retrospectively. The present study is prospective. Methods: Cohort study. Participants who met the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for MDD were included if they no longer satisfied the criteria two years later (N = 943). CR scores during remission were compared between individuals who were not suicidal during their index (baseline) episode (SI-) (N = 346), versus those who were (SI+) (N = 597) — within which, a subcategory of those who attempted suicide in their lifetime (N = 152) was included. Results: During remission, SI+ participants had significantly higher hopelessness reactivity scores than SI- participants, even when factoring current depressive symptoms and suicidality, and anxiety comorbidity. Current hopelessness reactivity was significantly predicted by previous suicidal ideation, and to a lesser degree, feelings of worthlessness/guilt. Participants who had attempted suicide had significantly higher aggression reactivity, compared to without a history of suicidality. Limitations: Cognitive reactivity may have been influenced by the unaccounted disparity in participants’ most recent suicide attempt, and the number of previous depressive episodes. Conclusions: The results support the differential activation model of suicidality. Robust and strong longitudinal associations are drawn between suicidal ideation during depression, and a subsequent, distinct cognitive reactivity profile on the hopelessness dimension during remission. Given the profile specificity of cognitive reactivity, preventative measures for relapse are promising. Further research including the number of previous depressive episodes, suicide attempts and their recency may strengthen the validity of findings.Show less
Research so far has shown that sleep is associated with and can predict suicidal ideation. One potential mediating variable in this relationship is mood, while studies have shown that mood is...Show moreResearch so far has shown that sleep is associated with and can predict suicidal ideation. One potential mediating variable in this relationship is mood, while studies have shown that mood is associated with both sleep and suicidal ideation. However, there is no known study so far on this topic. Therefore, the present single-case study aims at testing the mediation effect of mood on the relationship between sleep and short-term suicidal ideation using the Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) method. Both subjective and objective sleep quality measures were included. The study lasted 21 days, and the participant had to complete a short online questionnaire four times per day, administered on their phone. The questionnaire collected self-reported data on subjective sleep quality, mood, and suicidal ideation. Objective sleep quality was assessed using an actiwatch positioned on the participant's hand. Our hypotheses were that both objective and subjective poor sleep quality would lead to a subsequent decrease in positive mood over the day, which, in turn, would be associated with short-term (daily) increases in suicidal ideation. Two first-order autoregressive (AR[1]) multilevel models were developed, testing for each of the two sleep parameters separately. Statistical analyses revealed non-significant effects of both subjective and objective sleep quality on mood and suicidal ideation. However, results showed a significant effect of mood on suicidal ideation. This finding supports the importance of mood associations with suicidal ideation. We suggest that future research further explores the mediation effect of mood on the relationship between sleep and short-term suicidal ideation using larger samples and broader-item sleep scales.Show less
Background: Suicide forms a leading cause of death in the world, but much remains unknown about the daily risk factors for it. Stressful events are known to precede suicide attempts, but no...Show moreBackground: Suicide forms a leading cause of death in the world, but much remains unknown about the daily risk factors for it. Stressful events are known to precede suicide attempts, but no conclusions can be drawn about the proximal effect of stress on suicidal ideation and behavior. In addition, promising protective factors against stress and suicidal ideation, such as optimism, are yet to be studied in real-time. This case study aimed to discover more about the effect of stress on momentary suicidal ideation and whether optimism could protect an individual from the effects of stress. Methods: One participant was followed in daily life for 21 consecutive days, completing ecological momentary assessment (EMA) through a mobile phone app four times a day. EMA assessed stressful events, level of suicidal ideation and level of optimism. Simple linear regression analysis was performed to study the effect of stress on suicidal ideation and moderation analysis was performed to study the protective effect of optimism. Results: Stress was associated with momentary levels of suicidal ideation, with more stressful events being associated with more severe suicidal ideation. Optimism did not moderate the relationship between stress and suicidal ideation. Optimism independently was associated with momentary levels of suicidal ideation. Conclusions: Stress formed a significant risk factor for momentary suicidal ideation in a case study of daily predictors of suicidal ideation. Further replications of this study are needed to generalize the findings, but including stress management in treatment for suicidal symptoms might be particularly beneficial.Show less
Research master thesis | Psychology (research) (MSc)
open access
Death by suicide a global health problem, often preceded with the experience of suicidal ideation. Both depression and anxiety increase the risk of experiencing suicidal ideation. However, the...Show moreDeath by suicide a global health problem, often preceded with the experience of suicidal ideation. Both depression and anxiety increase the risk of experiencing suicidal ideation. However, the specific relations between symptoms of depression and anxiety on the one hand, and suicidal ideation on the other, remain unexplored. Therefore, we investigated these relations both at the cross-sectional (N = 2981) and the temporal level (N = 2596), with a follow-up time of 2 years. We included data from the NESDA study and controlled for the covariates age and gender. To do so, we used unregularized network models, each consisting of 21 nodes. In each network, 10 nodes represented depression items, 10 nodes represented anxiety items, and one node represented suicidal ideation. Results showed that the relation between suicidal ideation and depression was stronger than the relation between suicidal ideation and anxiety. This held true at the cross-sectional and temporal level. Overall, depression and anxiety symptoms at baseline explained about 15% of suicidal ideation at the cross-sectional level, and up to 13% at the temporal level. However, these percentages are not directly comparable, because only for the temporal analyses did we control for previous suicidal ideation. Results should be replicated and further investigated in order to be able to draw firm conclusions.Show less
This paper tries to find an answer to the exceptionally high suicide rate among the young and the elderly in contemporary South Korea by identifying current social phenomena and trends in Korean...Show moreThis paper tries to find an answer to the exceptionally high suicide rate among the young and the elderly in contemporary South Korea by identifying current social phenomena and trends in Korean society. A cultural and sociological approach to suicide is used, and Durkheim's sociological theory of suicide is also mobilised in order to interpret and make sense of South Korea's suicide phenomenon. Ultimately, the identified phenomena of both social groups are analyzed, compared and contrasted in order to see if there is connection between the phenomena and the suicide rate of the South Korean youth and elders.Show less
