Cross-cultural relevance of the Interpersonal Theory of suicide across Korean and U.S. undergraduate students. (May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Suh, Sooyeon; Ebesutani, Chad K.; Hagan, Christopher R.; Rogers, Megan L.; Hom, Melanie A.; Ringer, Fallon B.; Bernert, Rebecca A.; Kim, Soohyun; Joiner, Thomas E.
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry research. Volume 251(2017)
• Page Start: 244
• Page End: 252
• Publication Date: 2017-05
• Subjects: Thwarted belongingness -- Perceived burdensomeness -- Suicidal ideation -- South Korea -- Structural equation modeling -- Capability for suicide -- Suicide risk; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- periodicals; Psychiatrie -- Périodiques; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.02.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-1781

Abstract

Abstract: This study investigated the cross-cultural relevance and validity of the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (ITS) utilizing young adult samples from South Korea ( n =554) and the United States (U.S.; n =390). To examine the ITS, all participants completed self-report questionnaires measuring Thwarted Belongingness, Perceived Burdensomeness, and Capability for Suicide . We examined whether each construct significantly predicted the severity of suicidal risk in both samples. We also determined whether the strength of the effects of Thwarted Belongingness and Perceived Burdensomeness on suicidal ideation differed between the two samples due to the greater degree of importance placed on interpersonal relationships in collectivistic cultures such as South Korea. Structural equation modeling was used to examine these hypotheses. Thwarted Belongingness, Perceived Burdensomeness, and Capability for Suicide significantly predicted elevated suicidal risk. However, there were no significant differences in the paths from Thwarted Belongingness or Perceived Burdensomeness to suicide risk between the South Korean and U.S. samples. These findings support the cross-cultural relevance and applicability of the ITS, whereby Thwarted Belongingness and Perceived Burdensomeness serve as indicators of suicide risk in both Western (U.S.) and East Asian (Korean) samples. Highlights: Korean students reported significantly higher interpersonal needs and suicidal risk compared to U.S. students. The ITS is a useful framework for understanding suicide risk in both U.S. and Korean populations. The ITS constructs predicted suicidal risk in U.S. and Korean samples, providing support for the theory across cultures.