Perseverative cognition and suicide structural equation modeling

Objectives: Suicide is a significant public health issue with a high prevalence. Various studies have suggested that perseverative cognitions play an important role in the occurrence of suicide. However, the mediating mechanisms underlying the relationship between perseverative cognitions and suicidality remain largely unknown. Accordingly, the present study aimed to investigate the route of perseverative cognitions to suicide regarding the mediating role of positive and negative valence systems and social disconnection. Method: 256 students from the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences participated in this cross-sectional study. The data were collected using the Perseverative Cognitions Questionnaire (PCQ), Approach-Avoidance Temperament Questionnaire (ATQ), Social Connectedness Scale-Revised (SCS-R), and Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R). Collected data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation test and structural equation modeling in SPSS and AMOS-26. Results: The results showed that perseverative cognitions had a direct and significant effect on Suicidal Ideation (p < .001). Moreover, positive and negative valence systems and social disconnection significantly mediated the relationship between perseverative cognitions and suicide. Conclusion: Our findings showed that multiple factors including perseverative cognitions, positive and negative valence systems, and social disconnection have a role in the occurrence of suicide among university students. Accordingly, addressing these factors in therapeutic plans should be taken into consideration.