Insomnia and suicide-related behaviors: A multi-study investigation of thwarted belongingness as a distinct explanatory factor.

Insomnia and suicide-related behaviors: A multi-study investigation of thwarted belongingness as a distinct explanatory factor.

J Affect Disord. 2016 Oct 11;208:153-162

Authors: Chu C, Hom MA, Rogers ML, Stanley IH, Ringer-Moberg FB, Podlogar MC, Hirsch JK, Joiner TE

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Insomnia is a robust correlate of suicidal ideation and behavior. Preliminary research has identified thwarted belongingness (c.f. social disconnection) as an explanatory link between insomnia and suicidal ideation.
OBJECTIVES: This study replicates and extends previous findings using both cross-sectional and longitudinal designs in four demographically diverse samples. Additionally, the specificity of thwarted belongingness was evaluated by testing anxiety as a rival mediator.
METHOD: Self-report measures of insomnia symptoms, thwarted belongingness, suicidal ideation and behavior, and anxiety were administered in four adult samples: 469 undergraduate students, 352 psychiatric outpatients, 858 firefighters, and 217 primary care patients.
RESULTS: More severe insomnia was associated with more severe thwarted belongingness and suicidality. Thwarted belongingness significantly accounted for the association between insomnia and suicidality, cross-sectionally and longitudinally, beyond anxiety. Notably, findings supported the specificity of thwarted belongingness: anxiety did not significantly mediate the association between insomnia and suicidality, and insomnia did not mediate the relation between thwarted belongingness and suicidality.
LIMITATIONS: This study relied solely on self-report measures. Future studies incorporating objective sleep measurements are needed.
CONCLUSION: Findings underscore the utility of assessing and addressing sleep disturbances and social disconnection to reduce suicide risk.

PMID: 27770645 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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