Genetic, Social, and General Psychology Monographs, Feb 1998 v124 n1 p79(16)

A study conducted on a national sample of 1433 individuals from China to examine effects of interpersonal relations on suicide ideation revealed suicide ideation rates were significantly lower than those in US samples. Chinese women scored higher than men in both countries. A model using the Chinese data examined Emile Durkheim's social integration theory for suicide prediction. Author's Abstract: COPYRIGHT 1998 Heldref Publications This study is an examination of the effects of interpersonal relations on suicide ideation in a national sample of 1,433 individuals from China. The effect of gender as well as Chinese--Western comparisons are also examined. Suicide ideation rates (defined as thinking about committing suicide) and rates for planned suicide were significantly lower than those in most U.S. samples; Chinese women consistently scored higher than men in both areas. LISREL path analyses indicated that interpersonal conflict had the greatest direct and total effect on suicide ideation, and social isolation was the weakest predictor among the three measures of interpersonal relations. A path model using the Chinese data calls into question Durkheim's social integration theory for predicting suicide. Findings are discussed in relation to Chinese culture. Full Text: COPYRIGHT 1998 Heldref Publications PREVIOUS RESEARCH ON SUICIDE IDEATION (defined as thinking about committing suicide) has addressed various correlates on both the social and individual levels. At the social structural level, most researchers have studied the effects of family, religion, and social support; at the individual psychological level, researchers have concentrated on the effects of depression and self-esteem. However, interpersonal relationships have not been adequately studied as an important social factor for predicting an individual's psychological well-being in relation to suicide ideation. In the current research, we examined several interpersonal factors in relation to suicide ideation. Interpersonal relations play a crucial role in determining an individual's psychological well-being. Most people are acutely aware that their relationships with others are important in shaping the nature of their lives. Klinger (1977) found that almost all U.S. respondents said that friends were important when asked, "What is it that makes your life meaningful?" In a U.S. study of interpersonal attraction using people of various ages, Berscheid (1985) found that "making and maintaining friendships" and "having positive, warm relationships" were very high priorities in making these people happy. Because good relations with people are associated with happiness, and because unhappiness (depression) predicts suicide ideation, a connection can be built between interpersonal relations and suicide ideation. Although few researchers have examined the impact of interpersonal relations on suicide ideation, many psychologists have examined the association between interpersonal