Structural model of Suicidal Thoughts based on Parenting Styles with the Mediating Role of Anxiety and Depression in Students

It is concerning that high-risk behaviors are so prevalent among teenagers, as this poses a serious threat to their health and well-being. Unfortunately, many teenagers turn to suicide as a way to cope with their feelings of depression and anxiety during this period of their lives. In an effort to better understand this issue, a study was conducted to explore the relationship between parenting skills and suicidal thoughts among students, with anxiety and depression serving as mediators in this structural equation model.

The research method used in this study was correlational description using the structural equation modeling method. The study was conducted on 390 second high school students (208 males and 182 females) in the city of Ilam, and the students were selected using a two-stage cluster sampling method. Data collection was performed through self-reporting using Beck's suicide thought questionnaire, Baumrind's parenting styles, and Beck's anxiety and depression in students. The structural equation modeling method was used to analyze the data.

The study found that there was a significant direct relationship between parenting styles and suicidal thoughts (P<0.001), anxiety, and depression (P<0.001). Additionally, the direct relationship between anxiety and depression, and suicidal thoughts was positive and significant (P<0.001). Furthermore, the indirect relationship between parenting styles on suicidal thoughts, mediated by the role of anxiety (β=0.521, P=0.001) and depression (β=0.780, P=0.001), was also significant.

the findings of this study highlight the importance of teaching parenting skills and the mediating role of anxiety and depression in students' suicidal thoughts. These results can have practical implications for improving the psychological well-being of this age group.