The Interplay Among Risk Factors for Suicidal Ideation and Suicide: the Role of Depression, Poor Health, and Loved Ones’ Messages of Support and Criticism

Poor physical health & depression were hypothesized to exacerbate the harmful effects on suicidal ideation of receiving critical negative messages & of receiving social support. These hypotheses were tested amongst a sample of 533 unemployed married individuals who were assessed shortly after job loss & 6 month later. The results supported the hypotheses & demonstrated that for participants with poor health or high level of depressive symptoms an increase in critical messages & social support predicted increased suicidal ideation. (56 refs)