Impulsiveness indirectly affects suicidal ideation through depression and simultaneously moderates the indirect...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Impulsiveness and depression are significant risk factors for suicidal ideation.
• Understanding the interplay between these factors is crucial for effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the indirect effect of impulsiveness on suicidal ideation mediated by depression.
• To examine the moderating role of impulsiveness on this indirect pathway.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11th version (BIS-11), and Self-Rating Idea of Suicide Scale (SIOSS).
• Employed a moderated mediation path model to analyze the relationships between impulsiveness, depression, and suicidal ideation.

Main Results:

• The moderated mediation model demonstrated a good fit, confirming significant indirect effects of impulsiveness on suicidal ideation via depression.
• Impulsiveness significantly moderated the indirect effect, with higher impulsiveness strengthening the predictive impact of depression on suicidal ideation.

Conclusions:

• Individuals with impulsive traits face higher risks of suicidal ideation due to increased likelihood of depression.
• Concurrent impulsiveness exacerbates the risk of suicidal ideation in individuals with depression.
• Monitoring impulsiveness is essential during the premorbid and onset stages of depression for suicide prevention efforts.