Structural Prediction Model of Suicidal Ideation Based on the Big Five Personality Traits with the Mediation of Guilt

Suicide is a major public health concern worldwide. Suicide is a complex behavior reflecting a multi–level interplay of biopsychosocial factors. It is therefore imperative to build and examine models that can inform the understanding of the full continuum of suicidal ideation and behaviors. Thus, there is considerable public health significance for identifying factors that increase the risk of developing suicidal ideation and behaviors. Guilt is conceptualized as an essential cognitive vulnerability for suicide, i.e., associated with increased risk for suicidal behavior. Psychiatric disorders and some personality traits are significant suicidality risk factors; however, their relationships remain a complex issue. Thus, this study aimed to determine the fitness of the structural model of suicidal ideation prediction based on the Big Five personality traits with the mediation of guilt.

This was a descriptive correlational study. The statistical population of the study consisted of all citizens living in Karaj City, Iran (N=1973470). Using a two–step random and voluntary sampling method, 550 subjects were selected from recreational, cultural, and art centers. The inclusion criteria of the study were the age of over 18 years; having a higher education than diploma; residing in Karaj City, Iran; no physical disabilities and chronic diseases; not taking medicine for biopsychological conditions; not being hospitalized during the last year for biopsychological conditions, and not receiving concurrent psychotherapy in the past year. The exclusion criterion of the study was providing incomplete questionnaires. The study tools included NEO Five–Factor Inventory (Costa & McCrae, 1989), Guilt Inventory (Kugler & Jones, 1992), and Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (Beck et al., 1979). For data analysis, structural equation modeling was used in AMOS at the significance level of 0.05.

The present study results indicated that the total path coefficient between neuroticism and suicidal ideation (β=0.258, p<0.001) was positive and significant; the total path coefficient between agreeableness (β=–0.116, p=0.003) and conscientiousness (β=–0.185, p<0.001), and suicidal ideation were negative and significant. Furthermore, the indirect path coefficient between neuroticism and suicidal ideation (β=0.040, p=0.049) was positive and significant. Moreover, the indirect path coefficient between extroversion and suicidal ideation was negative and significant (β=–0.057, p=0.032). All fit indicators supported the optimal fit of the model with the collected data (χ2=9.98, CFI=0.982, GFI=0.995, AGFI=0.965, & RMSEA=0.044).

The present study results revealed that feeling guilty mediated the relationship between neuroticism, extraversion, and suicidal ideation.