(PS9-46) Understanding the Relationship Between the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide and Suicide Ideation in Ethnic Minority Emerging Adults through the pathways of the IMV Model of Suicide Behavior.

Abstract Text: Suicide is a significant global public health issue, with rates rising significantly across different populations. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2024) reported that over 720,000 individuals die by suicide annually, with more than 48,000 suicides occurring in the United States, making it one of the leading causes of death in the country (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021). Furthermore, suicide is the second leading cause of death for individuals between the ages of 10 and 34, with rates among youth of color on the rise (CDC, 2020). Regardless of these alarming statistics, there is a noticeable significant gap in research that explores the specific pathways leading to suicide in minoritized populations. This study seeks to fill that gap by exploring the mechanisms underlying suicide ideation in ethnic minority emerging adults, with a focus on the intersection of the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (IPTS) and the Integrated Motivational-Volitional (IMV) model of suicide behavior. Utilizing a cross-sectional design and serial multiple mediation analyses, this research examined how perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness contribute to suicide ideation through the mediating paths of defeat and entrapment. The study recruited 316 ethnic minority participants. Results showed that both defeat and entrapment significantly mediated the relationships between perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and suicide ideation. These findings suggest that the IPTS and IMV models interact to influence suicide risk in ethnic minority emerging adults. This study offers valuable insights into the complex pathways leading to suicide ideation within this population and highlights the need for further research to better understand these dynamics among ethnic minority groups.