A cross-sectional study on the influence of emotion regulation strategies on the association between trait mindfulness and suicidality
Abstract Background Several risk factors for suicidality, including dysfunctional emotion regulation strategies (ERS), have been identified. With regard to the high number of suicides worldwide, suicide prevention and identifying potentially protective factors is of high relevance. Mindfulness has b...
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2025-04-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02530-5 |
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| author | Inken Höller Judith Martens Christina Fönschau Thomas Forkmann |
| author_facet | Inken Höller Judith Martens Christina Fönschau Thomas Forkmann |
| author_sort | Inken Höller |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Several risk factors for suicidality, including dysfunctional emotion regulation strategies (ERS), have been identified. With regard to the high number of suicides worldwide, suicide prevention and identifying potentially protective factors is of high relevance. Mindfulness has been discussed to positively influence both suicidality and ERS (e.g., expressive suppression, thought suppression, and cognitive reappraisal). The aim of this study was to examine associations between mindfulness, ERS, and suicidal ideation as well as the mediating role of ERS on the association between mindfulness and suicidal ideation. Methods In a cross-sectional online study, 376 participants (M = 27.35, SD = 9.98, range = 18–77; n = 282 (75%) female) filled out questionnaires on mindfulness (Freiburger Questionnaire on Mindfulness; FFA), suicidal ideation (Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation; BSS), expressive suppression (Emotion Regulation Questionnaire; ERQ), thought suppression (White Bear Suppression Inventory; WBSI), and cognitive reappraisal (ERQ). Correlations and mediation models were calculated using SPSS. Results Mindfulness was negatively correlated with the use of expressive suppression and thought suppression as well as positively correlated with cognitive reappraisal. Suicidal ideation was negatively correlated with mindfulness and cognitive reappraisal and positively with expressive suppression and thought suppression. The mediation models showed that all three ERS mediated the relationship between mindfulness and suicidal ideation. Conclusions The results meaningfully complement other findings in the field and show how promising it can be to integrate mindfulness-based interventions in suicide prevention. Additionally, ERS can be a starting point for therapeutic interventions. Trial registration The study was preregistered on 05/06/2022 at aspredicted.org (#96242) prior to any data collection (see https://aspredicted.org/a4yq7.pdf ). |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7048c09b088e4fa990263d6166207155 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2050-7283 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-7048c09b088e4fa990263d61662071552025-08-20T01:56:09ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832025-04-011311910.1186/s40359-025-02530-5A cross-sectional study on the influence of emotion regulation strategies on the association between trait mindfulness and suicidalityInken Höller0Judith Martens1Christina Fönschau2Thomas Forkmann3Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Duisburg-EssenDepartment of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Duisburg-EssenDepartment of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Duisburg-EssenDepartment of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Duisburg-EssenAbstract Background Several risk factors for suicidality, including dysfunctional emotion regulation strategies (ERS), have been identified. With regard to the high number of suicides worldwide, suicide prevention and identifying potentially protective factors is of high relevance. Mindfulness has been discussed to positively influence both suicidality and ERS (e.g., expressive suppression, thought suppression, and cognitive reappraisal). The aim of this study was to examine associations between mindfulness, ERS, and suicidal ideation as well as the mediating role of ERS on the association between mindfulness and suicidal ideation. Methods In a cross-sectional online study, 376 participants (M = 27.35, SD = 9.98, range = 18–77; n = 282 (75%) female) filled out questionnaires on mindfulness (Freiburger Questionnaire on Mindfulness; FFA), suicidal ideation (Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation; BSS), expressive suppression (Emotion Regulation Questionnaire; ERQ), thought suppression (White Bear Suppression Inventory; WBSI), and cognitive reappraisal (ERQ). Correlations and mediation models were calculated using SPSS. Results Mindfulness was negatively correlated with the use of expressive suppression and thought suppression as well as positively correlated with cognitive reappraisal. Suicidal ideation was negatively correlated with mindfulness and cognitive reappraisal and positively with expressive suppression and thought suppression. The mediation models showed that all three ERS mediated the relationship between mindfulness and suicidal ideation. Conclusions The results meaningfully complement other findings in the field and show how promising it can be to integrate mindfulness-based interventions in suicide prevention. Additionally, ERS can be a starting point for therapeutic interventions. Trial registration The study was preregistered on 05/06/2022 at aspredicted.org (#96242) prior to any data collection (see https://aspredicted.org/a4yq7.pdf ).https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02530-5MindfulnessEmotion regulationSuicidality |
| spellingShingle | Inken Höller Judith Martens Christina Fönschau Thomas Forkmann A cross-sectional study on the influence of emotion regulation strategies on the association between trait mindfulness and suicidality BMC Psychology Mindfulness Emotion regulation Suicidality |
| title | A cross-sectional study on the influence of emotion regulation strategies on the association between trait mindfulness and suicidality |
| title_full | A cross-sectional study on the influence of emotion regulation strategies on the association between trait mindfulness and suicidality |
| title_fullStr | A cross-sectional study on the influence of emotion regulation strategies on the association between trait mindfulness and suicidality |
| title_full_unstemmed | A cross-sectional study on the influence of emotion regulation strategies on the association between trait mindfulness and suicidality |
| title_short | A cross-sectional study on the influence of emotion regulation strategies on the association between trait mindfulness and suicidality |
| title_sort | cross sectional study on the influence of emotion regulation strategies on the association between trait mindfulness and suicidality |
| topic | Mindfulness Emotion regulation Suicidality |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02530-5 |
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