The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide and Relationship Satisfaction: A Daily Diary Study

Romantic relationships serve as one of the most important relationships in adults’ lives, yet the influence of relational dynamics on suicide ideation (SI) is limited and longitudinal associations are unclear. The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide has been applied to romantic relationships broadly and...

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Main Authors: Heather A. Love, Preston Morgan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Behavioral Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/14/12/1138
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author Heather A. Love
Preston Morgan
author_facet Heather A. Love
Preston Morgan
author_sort Heather A. Love
collection DOAJ
description Romantic relationships serve as one of the most important relationships in adults’ lives, yet the influence of relational dynamics on suicide ideation (SI) is limited and longitudinal associations are unclear. The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide has been applied to romantic relationships broadly and supports motivations of suicide (thwarted belonging and perceived burdensomeness) and relationship satisfaction to be predictors of SI. An online daily diary study (<i>n</i> = 94 adults) was conducted to examine romantic relationship dynamics and mental health indicators in adults over 10 days. Multilevel growth modeling results revealed that higher perceived burdensomeness, but not relational satisfaction or thwarted belonging, was associated with higher initial levels of SI. However, perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belonging, and relationship satisfaction were not associated with rates of change in SI over time. Further, no interaction effects between either relationship satisfaction and thwarted belonging or perceived burdensomeness were found in association with trajectories of SI over the 10-day period. The results of this study indicate that relational satisfaction, through a commonly used global assessment of relational wellbeing, may not have a substantial influence on SI, particularly in individuals with mild SI levels. This may be due to relational satisfaction being relatively consistent, while SI is prone to short-term fluctuations. However, additional research is recommended to address other relational dynamics’ influences on SI.
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spelling doaj-art-b26375e0201042b38b6d5f6ab05dca012025-08-20T02:01:04ZengMDPI AGBehavioral Sciences2076-328X2024-11-011412113810.3390/bs14121138The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide and Relationship Satisfaction: A Daily Diary StudyHeather A. Love0Preston Morgan1Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USADepartment of Human Development and Family Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USARomantic relationships serve as one of the most important relationships in adults’ lives, yet the influence of relational dynamics on suicide ideation (SI) is limited and longitudinal associations are unclear. The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide has been applied to romantic relationships broadly and supports motivations of suicide (thwarted belonging and perceived burdensomeness) and relationship satisfaction to be predictors of SI. An online daily diary study (<i>n</i> = 94 adults) was conducted to examine romantic relationship dynamics and mental health indicators in adults over 10 days. Multilevel growth modeling results revealed that higher perceived burdensomeness, but not relational satisfaction or thwarted belonging, was associated with higher initial levels of SI. However, perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belonging, and relationship satisfaction were not associated with rates of change in SI over time. Further, no interaction effects between either relationship satisfaction and thwarted belonging or perceived burdensomeness were found in association with trajectories of SI over the 10-day period. The results of this study indicate that relational satisfaction, through a commonly used global assessment of relational wellbeing, may not have a substantial influence on SI, particularly in individuals with mild SI levels. This may be due to relational satisfaction being relatively consistent, while SI is prone to short-term fluctuations. However, additional research is recommended to address other relational dynamics’ influences on SI.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/14/12/1138couplesInterpersonal Theory of Suicideromantic relationshipssuicide ideation
spellingShingle Heather A. Love
Preston Morgan
The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide and Relationship Satisfaction: A Daily Diary Study
Behavioral Sciences
couples
Interpersonal Theory of Suicide
romantic relationships
suicide ideation
title The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide and Relationship Satisfaction: A Daily Diary Study
title_full The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide and Relationship Satisfaction: A Daily Diary Study
title_fullStr The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide and Relationship Satisfaction: A Daily Diary Study
title_full_unstemmed The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide and Relationship Satisfaction: A Daily Diary Study
title_short The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide and Relationship Satisfaction: A Daily Diary Study
title_sort interpersonal theory of suicide and relationship satisfaction a daily diary study
topic couples
Interpersonal Theory of Suicide
romantic relationships
suicide ideation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/14/12/1138
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