Beyond meaning in life: How a perceived futility in searching for meaning in life predicts suicidal ideation

Existential nihilism, the belief that life lacks inherent meaning, has been linked to poor mental health. While research has identified that the presence of meaning protects against suicidal ideation, little empirical research has explored the relationship between existential nihilism and suicidal ideation. This study explored the direct and moderating effects of existential nihilism on suicidal ideation in a sample of 775 university students over three time points. Results indicated that existential nihilism directly predicted suicidal ideation, independent of meaning in life and depressive symptoms. Additionally, existential nihilism moderated the relationship between interpersonal difficulties and suicidal ideation, amplifying the impact of interpersonal struggles on suicidal thoughts. These findings underscore the importance of existential beliefs in understanding suicide risk and highlight the clinical relevance of addressing existential distress in mental health interventions for young adults. Future research should further examine existential factors in suicide prediction and prevention strategies.