Burdensomeness, Belongingness, and Suicidal Desire Among Hispanic/Latino Individuals: Examining the Effect of Ethnicity in the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide.

The interpersonal theory of suicide states that thwarted belongingness, a perception of social isolation and lack of social connectedness, and perceived burdensomeness, a perception of being a burden on others, are important factors related to the development of suicidal desire. A strong familial connection, characteristic of Hispanic/ Latino cultures, is associated with lower levels of thwarted belongingness. In this study, we tested the ability of thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and ethnicity to determine current levels of suicidal desire among Hispanic/Latino and non-Hispanic White undergraduate college students. Based on previous research and the typically high value placed on family, Hispanic/Latinos were predicted to experience lower levels of thwarted belongingness and suicidal desire. Hispanic/Latino status was hypothesized to moderate the role of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness such that Hispanic/Latinos who reported high levels of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness respectively would experience the highest levels of suicidal desire. Undergraduate college students (N = 336), 24% Hispanic/Latino and 76% non-Hispanic White, completed self-report measures. Ethnic groups significantly differed on their current suicidal desire, t(193.81) = 2.21, p = .03, and perceived burdensomeness, t(229.74) = 3.06, p = .003, but not thwarted belongingness, t(333) = 0.74, p = .46. Ethnicity moderated the effect of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness on current suicidal desire. However, the direction of the effect was opposite of the predictions. These findings highlight the role of ethnicity to moderate the effects of established suicide risk factors, thwarted belongingness, and perceived burdensomeness in college students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]