A cross-sectional study on the influence of emotion regulation strategies on the association between trait mindfulness and suicidality

Mindfulness was negatively associated with suicidal ideation in a cross-sectional online study of 376 adults (mean age 27.35, 75% female). Mindfulness was also negatively linked to expressive suppression and thought suppression and positively linked to cognitive reappraisal. Suicidal ideation was negatively correlated with mindfulness and cognitive reappraisal and positively correlated with expressive suppression and thought suppression. All three emotion regulation strategies mediated the relationship between mindfulness and suicidal ideation. The authors argue that integrating mindfulness-based interventions into suicide prevention is promising and that emotion regulation strategies can be a therapeutic target.

Study at a glance

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Several risk factors for suicidality, including dysfunctional emotion regulation strategies (ERS), have been identified. With regard to the high number of suicides worldwide, suicide prevention and identifying potentially protective factors is of high relevance. Mindfulness has been discussed to positively influence both suicidality and ERS (e.g., expressive suppression, thought suppression, and cognitive reappraisal). The aim of this study was to examine associations between mindfulness, ERS, and suicidal ideation as well as the mediating role of ERS on the association between mindfulness and suicidal ideation. METHODS: In a cross-sectional online study, 376 participants (M = 27.35, SD = 9.98, range = 18-77; n = 282 (75%) female) filled out questionnaires on mindfulness (Freiburger Questionnaire on Mindfulness; FFA), suicidal ideation (Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation; BSS), expressive suppression (Emotion Regulation Questionnaire; ERQ), thought suppression (White Bear Suppression Inventory; WBSI), and cognitive reappraisal (ERQ). Correlations and mediation models were calculated using SPSS. RESULTS: Mindfulness was negatively correlated with the use of expressive suppression and thought suppression as well as positively correlated with cognitive reappraisal. Suicidal ideation was negatively correlated with mindfulness and cognitive reappraisal and positively with expressive suppression and thought suppression. The mediation models showed that all three ERS mediated the relationship between mindfulness and suicidal ideation. CONCLUSIONS: The results meaningfully complement other findings in the field and show how promising it can be to integrate mindfulness-based interventions in suicide prevention. Additionally, ERS can be a starting point for therapeutic interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was preregistered on 05/06/2022 at aspredicted.org (#96242) prior to any data collection (see https://aspredicted.org/a4yq7.pdf ).