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Moderating Role of Social Support in the Relationship Between Psychological Well-Being and Suicide Among Suicide Attempts

Ekpenyong, Stacey Amate; Francis, Chukwuemeka Chinawa

Abstract

The study examined the moderating role of social support in the relationship between psychological well-being and suicide among suicide attempters. The sample comprised forty- eight (48) participants, including twenty-one (21) males and twenty-seven (27) females, aged 18–48 years (M = 20.21, SD = 2.21), recruited through purposive sampling from three government rehabilitation centres (Karu General Hospital, NDLEA Rehabilitation Centre, National Hospital Abuja) and three private rehabilitation centres (Olive Prime, The Oleaster, Primly Services) in Abuja. Data were collected using the Psychological Well-Being Scale (Ryff, 1989), the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (Beck, Steer, & Ranieri, 1988), and the Social Support Questionnaire (Sarason et al., 1983). A correlational design was employed, and moderated hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted using SPSS Version 27. Results indicated that only the personal growth dimension of psychological well-being negatively predicted suicide (Stβ = -.360*, t = 1.373*, p < .05). Other dimensions—autonomy (Stβ = -.357, t = -1.683), environmental mastery (Stβ = .460, t = 1.684), positive relations (Stβ = .265, t = 1.054), purpose in life (Stβ = -.089, t = -.294), and self-acceptance (Stβ = .121, t = .529)—did not significantly predict suicide (p > .05). Social support dimensions—friends (Stβ = .048, t = .317), family (Stβ = -.028, t = -.188), and others (Stβ = .107, t = .706)—also did not directly predict suicide. However, friends’ support significantly moderated the relationship between psychological well-being and suicide (Stβ = -2.355*, t = -1.049*, p < .05), whereas family support (Stβ = .374, t = 1.198) and other support (Stβ = .087, t = .310) did not. Findings suggest that enhancing personal growth and fostering supportive friendships may strengthen psychological well-being and reduce suicide risk. Therapists and counsellors are encouraged to integrate strategies that promote personal development and social connectedness in interventions for suicide attempters.

Keywords

suicidepsychological well-beingsocial supportpersonal growthmoderation

References

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