(PS3-45) The Role of Perceived Burdensomeness in the Link Between Functional Impairment and Suicidal Ideation in Clinic-Referred Youth

Abstract Text:

Background: Youth experiencing high levels of functional impairment may be at a heightened risk for suicidal ideation, yet the factors contributing to this relationship remain unclear. Perceived burdensomeness, or the belief that one is a burden to others, is a well-established predictor of suicidal ideation. To our knowledge, no research has examined perceived burdensomeness as a potential explanation for the association between functional impairment and suicidal ideation in youth, particularly in diverse, clinic-referred samples, or whether this relationship varies by age. The present study investigates the role of perceived burdensomeness as an explanatory variable in the association between functional impairment and suicidal ideation in a predominantly Hispanic/Latino sample of youth, and whether this relationship varies by age.

Methods: A sample of N=329 clinic-referred youth (M=10.2 years; 81.8% Hispanic) completed measures of impairment, perceived burdensomeness and depressive symptoms. Functional impairment was assessed using the Columbia Impairment Scale (CIS–Youth Version), which evaluates difficulties across thirteen domains of behavior. Perceived burdensomeness was measured using the burdensomeness subscale of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire, and suicidal ideation was assessed via the Children’s Depression Inventory–2 (CDI–2).

Results: Functional impairment was significantly associated with perceived burdensomeness (B=0.44, p < .001), and perceived burdensomeness was significantly associated with suicidal ideation (B=0.003, p < .001). The indirect effect of impairment on suicidal ideation through perceived burdensomeness was statistically significant (B=0.005, SE=0.003, 95% CI [0.0001, 0.0108]). Conditional indirect effect testing revealed that the effect was significant for youth ages 10 years and older but not children below age 10 years.

Discussion: These findings provide novel evidence that perceived burdensomeness may partially explain the link between functional impairment and suicidal ideation in youth, particularly in adolescence. Clinically, results underscore the need for developmentally tailored interventions that target perceptions of burdensomeness to mitigate suicidal thoughts in at-risk youth.