Psychological Interpersonal Needs and Suicidal Ideation among College Students:The Moderating Role of Social Support

Suicidal ideation among college students may have a unique etiology because of developmental transitions that occur in college and young adulthood, including changes in family relationships and peer contexts. This study was conducted to examine the relationships between social support, perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness and suicidal ideation among college students. In addition, this study was conducted to examine moderation effect of social support on the relationship between psychological interpersonal needs and suicidal ideation. The participants consisted of 350 students from NCR located colleges. The data was collected by using Social support Questionnaire; Interpersonal needs Questionnaire and Beck Scale for suicide ideation. The hierarchical stepwise regression analysis was performed. Results revealed that Social support is significantly negatively associated with suicidal ideation. Furthermore social support significantly moderated the relationship between the Interpersonal needs' two construct (perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness) and suicidal ideation. The findings of the study have important implications for the prevention of suicide, suggesting the suicide prevention programs, counseling centers, and psychology clinics in the colleges for their assessment and identification of individuals who may be at risk for engaging in suicidal ideation.