Examining the Relationship Between Dependent Personality Traits, Dichotomous Thinking, and Differentiation with Suicidal Ideation

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between dependent personality traits, dichotomous thinking, and differentiation with suicidal ideation in students of Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht Branch. This research was conducted within the framework of a correlational design. The statistical population consisted of students of Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht Branch, who were enrolled in the 2024–2025 academic year. The statistical sample included 380 participants (220 females and 160 males) selected from various academic disciplines using stratified sampling. The measurement instruments consisted of the Dependent Personality Inventory (DPI-R), Younesi’s Dichotomous Thinking Questionnaire, the Differentiation of Self Inventory (Skowron & Friedlander), and Beck’s Scale for Suicidal Ideation. The collected data were analyzed at both descriptive and inferential levels, and hypothesis testing at the inferential level was conducted using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and regression analysis. The results indicated that, among the dimensions of dependent personality, the components of decision-making by others, need for support, and eliciting care were positively and significantly predictive of suicidal ideation. Furthermore, differentiation was found to be a negative and significant predictor of suicidal ideation. Among the dimensions of dichotomous thinking, the components of global dichotomous thinking, absolutism, and dichotomous thinking in positive events were positively and significantly predictive of suicidal ideation.