Moderating effect of interoceptive sensibility on the relationship between depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation

This study aimed to examine the moderating effect of interoceptive sensibility on the relationship between depression and suicidal ideation. Specifically, this study aimed to explore which subdimensions of interoceptive sensibility moderate the relationship between depression and suicidal ideation by administering the K-MAIA to a Korean community sample.

A total of 1000 participants completed various questionnaires assessing depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), multidimensional interoceptive sensibility (Korean Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness), and suicidal ideation (Depressive Symptom Inventory-Suicidality Subscale). Moderating effect of each subdimension of interoceptive sensibility was examined through the PROCESS Macro v4.3.1 (Model 1) and latent moderated structural equations.

Depressive symptoms (excluding suicidal ideation) and suicidal ideation were negatively correlated with four subdimensions of interoceptive sensibility (Attention Regulation, Mind-Body Connection Awareness, Return to Body, Trusting). The moderating effect of Trusting was only significant in the relationship between depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. Specifically, higher Trusting significantly buffered the positive association between depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation.

This exploratory study suggests that Trusting subdimensions of interoceptive sensibility may reduce suicidal ideation in individuals experiencing depressive symptoms. By showing that interoceptive sensibility can buffer the relationship between depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation within a diverse community sample spanning a wide age range, these findings underscore the potential relevance of interoception-focused strategies for suicide prevention in various populations.