Relationship of interpersonal needs and basic psychological needs with suicidal ideation; moderated by family functioning and mediated by depressive symptoms among young adults of Gilgit Baltistan

Abstract

Suicide is a serious mental health concern especially in population of Gilgit Baltistan. Existing literature has identified several demographic and social factors contributing to this dilemma in GB, however, individual level factors go neglected and under-researched. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the relationship between interpersonal needs, basic psychological needs and suicidal ideation as well as investigate the mediating role depression and the moderating role of family functioning between this relationship. Snowball sampling sampling was employed to gather data from 344 young adults from residents of Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. Instruments used in this study were; Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ-15), Basic Psychological Need Frustration Scale (BPNFS), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Brief family relationship scale (BFRS). Findings of the study revealed statistically significant association between the study variables. Depression was found to be partially mediating the association of suicidal ideation with thwarted belongingness and basic psychological needs frustration; however, it did not mediate the relationship between perceived burdensomeness and suicidal ideation. Moreover, family functioning moderated the relationship between interpersonal needs, basic psychological needs and suicidal ideation. These findings could be useful in prevention of rising suicide cases in GB region. .