Comparison of Suicide-Specific Rumination, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation, Perceived Burdensomeness, and Thwarted Belongingness in Individuals With and Without Suicidal Ideation

Abstract

The present study aimed to compare suicide-specific rumination, difficulties in emotion regulation, perceived burdensomeness, and thwarted belongingness in individuals with and without suicidal ideation. This causal–comparative study was conducted on 130 adults referring to counseling and psychological service centers in Izeh in 2025. Participants were selected through purposive sampling and categorized into two groups based on their scores on the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation. The research instruments included the Suicide Rumination Scale developed by Rogers et al. (2017), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale developed by Gratz and Roemer (2004), the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire developed by Van Orden et al. (2012), and the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation developed by Beck et al. (1979). Data were analyzed using SPSS-26 through multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and follow-up tests. The results of multivariate analysis of variance demonstrated a significant difference between individuals with and without suicidal ideation regarding the combined dependent variables (P<0.001). Univariate analyses further revealed that individuals with suicidal ideation scored significantly higher in suicide-specific rumination, difficulties in emotion regulation, perceived burdensomeness, and thwarted belongingness compared to individuals without suicidal ideation. Moreover, effect size indices indicated that suicide-specific rumination and perceived burdensomeness were the strongest discriminating variables between the two groups. The findings of the present study highlighted the prominent role of cognitive, emotional, and interpersonal factors in distinguishing individuals with suicidal ideation from those without such thoughts. Suicide-specific rumination, deficits in emotion regulation, and maladaptive interpersonal beliefs appear to be among the most important psychological mechanisms associated with suicidal ideation. Therefore, therapeutic interventions focused on reducing rumination, improving emotion regulation skills, and strengthening social connectedness may be effective in reducing suicidal ideation and preventing self-injurious behaviors.