Basic psychological needs and suicidal ideation: Testing an integrative model in referred and non-referred adolescents

This study tested an integrative model linking experiences of need frustration and need satisfaction with suicidal ideation through a risk-enhancing (via anxious-depressive symptoms) and a risk-reducing pathway (via positive cognitions) in adolescents. The generalizability of the model based on the clinical status of the participants was also explored. A matched sample of referred (n = 210) and non-referred (n = 210) adolescents aged between 12 and 17 years old completed self-report measures of psychological need-based experiences, suicidal ideation, positive cognitions, and anxious-depressive symptoms. Structural equation modeling was used to explore the proposed model. Mediation analysis showed that need frustration was positively associated with suicidal ideation through anxious-depressive symptoms, while need satisfaction was negatively associated with suicidal ideation through positive cognitions. Invariance analysis pointed to limited differences in the model associations as a function of clinical status. These initial findings suggest the relevance of consider need frustration and need satisfaction in explaining suicidal ideation. The integration of risk and protective factors and the study of the generalizability of the data across the clinical status of adolescents provide preliminary implications for the development of interventions to prevent suicidal ideation.