Measures of burdensomeness and belongingness were able to predict the likelihood of having persistent or intermittent suicidal ideation among individuals with serious mental illness.
Perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness are significant predictors of persistent suicidal ideation (SI) and suicidal behavior (SB) over 12 months in individuals with serious mental illness (SMI), according to findings published in Schizophrenia Bulletin.
In this longitudinal study, researchers tracked 180 adults with SMI, including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder with psychotic features, and major depressive disorder with psychotic features, over a 12-month period. They sought to understand how dynamic interpersonal factors such as perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness contributed to the persistence of SI and the emergence of SBs.
Participants were assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months, with additional daily ecological momentary assessment (EMA) surveys completed three times a day for 10 consecutive days following baseline. EMA surveys captured real-time data on feelings of burdensomeness, belongingness, social motivation, suspiciousness, and psychotic symptoms like hearing voices.
The cohort had a mean (SD) age of 42.9 (11.4) years, was predominantly men (67.8%), and racially diverse, with 40.6% identifying as Black. Most participants were unemployed (69.4%), and over 60% had a lifetime history of suicide attempt. Diagnostically, 37.8% had schizoaffective disorder and 35% had bipolar disorder with psychotic features.
Future studies may benefit from EMA over longer periods to unpack the influence of psychotic symptoms on the dynamics of burdensomeness, belongingness, and suicide risk, working to identify potentially personalized predictors of these constructs.
At baseline, 42.8% of participants reported current SI, and 15% were found to have persistent SI at all 3 time points. SB was reported by 13.3% over the follow-up period, with 87.5% of these individuals having reported SI at baseline.
#James Donaldson notes: Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes. Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use. Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.#http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation website www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book, #CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
Higher baseline burdensomeness (mean=3.87) and lower belongingness (mean=3.09) significantly predicted persistent SI when compared to those without SI. These interpersonal constructs also predicted the likelihood of SB during the study period. Persistent, rather than intermittent, SI was linked to psychotic symptoms such as suspiciousness and auditory hallucinations, as well as reduced social motivation.
While burdensomeness and belongingness were the strongest independent predictors of both SI and SB, network analysis revealed complex temporal dynamics. For individuals with baseline SI, greater suspiciousness preceded declines in belongingness, and increased social avoidance predicted future feelings of burdensomeness. These lagged relationships were not present in participants without SI.
“Future studies may benefit from EMA over longer periods to unpack the influence of psychotic symptoms on the dynamics of burdensomeness, belongingness, and suicide risk, working to identify potentially personalized predictors of these constructs,” the researchers concluded.
Please follow and like us:
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
Related
READ LATER - DOWNLOAD THIS POST AS PDF >> CLICK HERE <<
