The Relationship between Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicide Constructs (Loneliness, Perceived Social Support, Thwarted Belongingness and Burdensomeness) and Suicidal Behavior among Iranian Students

Aim: This research has tried to study the relationship of loneliness, perceived social support, thwarted belongingness and burdensomeness with suicide among Iranian university students. Methods: The participants of the study included a pool of 315 Iranian university students who were randomly chosen from the students studying in 2015-2016. The study design was correlational and cross-sectional. Data were collected through using four instruments: Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ), Suicidal Behavior Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R), Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLA), and Perceived Social Support Questionnaire (PSSQ). In order to analyze the data, Pearson's correlation and step-wise regression were conducted. Findings: The findings revealed that while the males scored higher in both factors of thwarted belongingness and burdensomeness, the females possessed greater amount of loneliness and higher rate of perceived social support as compared to their male counterparts. Moreover, although no significant difference was found between marital status and suicide, single people showed more burdensomeness whereas married people felt higher amount of loneliness as well as higher perceived social support. Conclusion: Finally, based on the results, we can conclude that interpersonal psychological theory of suicide is moderately helpful in predicting and explaining suicidal behaviors in students.