2024/08/13 by Shunyan Lyu, Zixuan Guo, Sabrina Yanan Jiang +1 · 1 voice · 2 citations
Psychology · #Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes #Mental Health Treatment and Access #Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
paper · doi:10.1177/00302228241272648
openalex publication_date 2024/08/13 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Although perceived and internalized suicide stigma are considered risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs), their specific roles in STBs are not well understood. This study examined the relationships among perceived and internalized suicide stigma, hopelessness, unbearable pain, suicidal desire, and suicide attempts in college students. A total of 1,387 Chinese college students (mean age: 22.22 years) completed the relevant scales. Structural equation modeling was used to determine the relationships of interest. The results showed that perceived stigma primarily had indirect impacts on suicidal desire through internalized stigma, which subsequently affected unbearable pain and hopelessness. The findings of this study suggest that the internalization of suicide stigma is an important predictor of STBs. These findings advocate for stigma interventions aimed at reducing internalized stigma as a potentially effective strategy for suicide prevention, as it may alleviate unbearable pain and hopelessness, which are significant contributors to suicidal desire and attempts.