The Relationship Between Shame And Suicide

Within the Ideation-to-Action framework,the studies aim to explore the relationship between shame and suicide among Chinese undergraduates on the basis of Gilbert's evolutionary model of shame and Joiner's theory of suicide interpersonal psychology.The study 1 examined the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of Other as Shame Scale(OAS).Firstly,all the items of the OAS were translated to form the Chinese version.The reliability and validity of the scale were analyzed in sample 1 and 2.Results show that:(1)The Chinese version of the OAS has a good fitting of the three-factor structure model,and the factor loads of each item have reached a significant level.(2)The scale has good convergent validity,discriminative validity and criterion validity.(3)The internal consistency reliability coefficient and retest reliability of the total scale and its subtables are above 0.7.The Chinese version of Other as Shame Scale is a reliable and valid instrument,which can be used to measure the level of external shame.Within the Ideation-to-Action framework,Study 2 and 3 explored the role of external shame and internal shame in different stages of suicide development in sample 3.Study 2 explored the predictive effect of external and internal shame on suicidal ideation.Study 3 explored the predictive effect of external and internal shame on suicidal attempt.Study 2 shows that:(1)The level of external shame,internal shame,thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness for those in suicidal ideation group and suicide attempt group were significantly higher than those in normal group;The level of external shame was significantly higher in the suicide attempt group than in the suicidal ideation group.(2)External shame can predict suicidal ideation.With thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness included in the model,External shame can still predict suicidal ideation.Internal shame can predict suicidal ideation.With thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness included in the model,Internal shame can still predict suicidal ideation.(3)After controlling for external shame,the predictive effect of internal shame on suicidal ideation was no longer significant.After controlling for internal shame,external shame was still a significant predictor of suicidal ideation.Study 3 shows that:(1)External shame can predict suicidal attempt;(2)Internal shame can predict suicidal attempt;(3)After controlling for external shame,the predictive effect of internal shame on suicide attempt was no longer significant.After controlling for internal shame,external shame was no longer a significant predictor of suicide attempt.Study 4 and 5 explored the mediating effects of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness on shame and suicidal ideation from the interpersonal perspective in sample 3.Study 4 explored the mediating effects of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness on external shame and suicidal ideation.Study 5 explored the mediating effects of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness on internal shame and suicidal ideation.Study 4 shows that external shame has direct effect on suicide ideation and indirect effects through perceived burdensomeness.The mediating effect of thwarted belongingness between external shame and suicide ideation was not found.Study 5 shows that Internal shame has indirect effect through perceived burdensomeness.The mediating effect of thwarted belongingness between internal shame and suicide ideation was not found.