Gender differences in the network of suicidal ideation, interpersonal needs and depressive symptoms among Chinese college students

Abstract Interpersonal needs and depression are two recognized significant risk factors for suicidal ideation. Previous studies have preliminarily revealed the gender-dependent effects of interpersonal needs and depression on suicidal ideation. However, there are very few studies that place these va...

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Main Authors: Jiaxi Peng, Lei Ren
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-95746-9
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author Jiaxi Peng
Lei Ren
author_facet Jiaxi Peng
Lei Ren
author_sort Jiaxi Peng
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Interpersonal needs and depression are two recognized significant risk factors for suicidal ideation. Previous studies have preliminarily revealed the gender-dependent effects of interpersonal needs and depression on suicidal ideation. However, there are very few studies that place these variables within a single framework and apply symptom-level analysis to investigate the gender-dependent relationships among them. This study applied symptom-level network analysis to construct female and male networks using data from 781 female and 628 male young adults. The networks included interpersonal needs, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation. Key characteristics of networks, including edge connections, bridge expected influence (BEI), and global expected influence (GEI), were compared. The results suggested that gender significantly impacts edge connections, node BEI, and GEI of the final networks. Several significantly gender-dependent connections were disclosed, such as perceived burdensomeness (PB)-suicidal ideation, hopelessness-suicidal ideation, PB-sense of failure, and PB-sadness. PB (marginally) and thwarted belongingness show significant gender differences in their impact on depressive symptoms. The GEI of the female network is significantly greater than that of the male network. These findings offer valuable insights for modern theoretical frameworks examining gender differences in the connections between suicidal ideation, interpersonal needs, and depressive symptoms. Additionally, results provide empirical support for selecting screening, prevention, and intervention strategies for suicidal ideation and depression across genders.
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spelling doaj-art-5f547739e7204a3aadb86f756b902fd82025-08-20T02:10:13ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-03-0115111110.1038/s41598-025-95746-9Gender differences in the network of suicidal ideation, interpersonal needs and depressive symptoms among Chinese college studentsJiaxi Peng0Lei Ren1Mental Health Education Center, Chengdu UniversityMilitary Psychology Section, Logistics University of PAPAbstract Interpersonal needs and depression are two recognized significant risk factors for suicidal ideation. Previous studies have preliminarily revealed the gender-dependent effects of interpersonal needs and depression on suicidal ideation. However, there are very few studies that place these variables within a single framework and apply symptom-level analysis to investigate the gender-dependent relationships among them. This study applied symptom-level network analysis to construct female and male networks using data from 781 female and 628 male young adults. The networks included interpersonal needs, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation. Key characteristics of networks, including edge connections, bridge expected influence (BEI), and global expected influence (GEI), were compared. The results suggested that gender significantly impacts edge connections, node BEI, and GEI of the final networks. Several significantly gender-dependent connections were disclosed, such as perceived burdensomeness (PB)-suicidal ideation, hopelessness-suicidal ideation, PB-sense of failure, and PB-sadness. PB (marginally) and thwarted belongingness show significant gender differences in their impact on depressive symptoms. The GEI of the female network is significantly greater than that of the male network. These findings offer valuable insights for modern theoretical frameworks examining gender differences in the connections between suicidal ideation, interpersonal needs, and depressive symptoms. Additionally, results provide empirical support for selecting screening, prevention, and intervention strategies for suicidal ideation and depression across genders.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-95746-9Suicidal ideationInterpersonal needsPerceived burdensomenessDepressive symptomsNetwork analysis
spellingShingle Jiaxi Peng
Lei Ren
Gender differences in the network of suicidal ideation, interpersonal needs and depressive symptoms among Chinese college students
Scientific Reports
Suicidal ideation
Interpersonal needs
Perceived burdensomeness
Depressive symptoms
Network analysis
title Gender differences in the network of suicidal ideation, interpersonal needs and depressive symptoms among Chinese college students
title_full Gender differences in the network of suicidal ideation, interpersonal needs and depressive symptoms among Chinese college students
title_fullStr Gender differences in the network of suicidal ideation, interpersonal needs and depressive symptoms among Chinese college students
title_full_unstemmed Gender differences in the network of suicidal ideation, interpersonal needs and depressive symptoms among Chinese college students
title_short Gender differences in the network of suicidal ideation, interpersonal needs and depressive symptoms among Chinese college students
title_sort gender differences in the network of suicidal ideation interpersonal needs and depressive symptoms among chinese college students
topic Suicidal ideation
Interpersonal needs
Perceived burdensomeness
Depressive symptoms
Network analysis
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-95746-9
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