Moderating Effect of Perceived Stress on the Relationship Between Perseverative Coping and Suicide Ideation

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Psychiatry
• Mental Health

Background:

• Perseverative coping involves persistently using ineffective strategies, including repeating failed approaches.
• The interplay between stress and perseverative coping in relation to suicidal ideation and behavior remains under-explored.
• This study integrates the stress and coping model of suicide risk and the diathesis-stress model to examine these mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test the hypothesis that perceived stress moderates the association between perseverative coping and suicidal ideation/attempts.
• To investigate the role of perceived stress in the relationship between maladaptive coping and suicide risk.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 912 college students (485 female, 427 male) completed self-report measures of perceived stress and perseverative coping.
• Participants were reassessed six months later regarding suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts.
• Statistical analyses examined the direct associations and the moderating effect of perceived stress.

Main Results:

• Both higher perseverative coping and higher perceived stress were independently associated with increased suicidal thoughts/attempts.
• A significant interaction effect was found, indicating that perceived stress moderates the relationship between perseverative coping and suicidal ideation/attempts.
• Specifically, high perceived stress amplified the association between perseverative coping and suicidal outcomes.

Conclusions:

• The findings support the transactional model of stress in suicide research.
• Perseverative coping, particularly under conditions of high stress, is a significant risk factor for suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
• Interventions targeting perseverative coping strategies may be beneficial in mitigating stress-induced suicide risk.