Perfectionism moderates the relationship between thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness and suicide ideation in adolescents

According to the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide, suicide ideation is associated with thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness. According to the Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model, excessive perfectionism is also considered to be a risk factor for depression and suicide. In the present study, the role of perfectionism as a moderator in the association between interpersonal distress (i.e., perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, low connectedness to parents and friends) and suicide ideation was examined in a nonclinical sample of adolescents. One-hundred and three adolescents were assessed through self-report instruments. Perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness and disconnectedness to parents and friends were found to correlate with suicide ideation. As predicted, perfectionism was found to moderate the relation between these interpersonal distress variables and suicide ideation. Perfectionism augments the association between interpersonal distress and suicide ideation among adolescents. Interventions should consider that adolescents who face interpersonal challenges are particularly at risk if they tend to be highly perfectionist.