| Abstract [eng] |
Introduction: Suicidality is associated not only with individual factors, but also with social and community-related factors. However, the relationship between community factors and suicidality has received little attention in the Lithuanian context, especially when analysing differences between residential areas. This study examines how suicidality is associated with the sense of community and the support or thwarting of psychological needs in interpersonal relationships across different residential settings. Methods: The study included 1744 Lithuanian residents aged 18 to 86 years (M = 43,96; SD = 14,90), including 1272 women and 472 men. Data were collected using online and paper-based questionnaires; therefore, the sample consisted of voluntarily recruited participants from different residential areas of Lithuania. The Brief Sense of Community Scale was used to assess the sense of community, while the Interpersonal Behaviours Questionnaire was used to evaluate the support and thwarting of psychological needs in interpersonal relationships. Suicidality was assessed using the Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale and the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised. Results: Residents of cities demonstrated lower suicidal ideation and behavior risk and a stronger sense of community compared to residents of major cities, while residents of rural areas occupied an intermediate position. Moderation analyses revealed that the associations of family sense of community, autonomy thwarting, and competence thwarting with suicidality were strongest in the major city group, whereas these associations were weaker among city residents. No statistically significant differences were found in the rural areas group when compared to other residential areas. Conclusions: The findings suggest that the sense of community and the thwarting of psychological needs in interpersonal relationships may be important factors in explaining differences in suicidality across residential groups. The study highlights the importance of focusing not only on individual risk factors in suicide prevention, but also on the community and interpersonal context of human relationships. |
