Abstract
Interpersonal needs are associated with suicide. However, no interpersonal needs questionnaire has been validated in Asia. The psychometric properties of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire were examined in a sample of 340 young male adults in Singapore. This questionnaire measures proximal causes of desire for suicide using the extent to which individuals believe that they are a burden to others (perceived burdensomeness) and the extent to which they believe their needs are not met (thwarted belongingness). Confirmatory factor analysis found that a two-factor model of perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness provided an adequate fit for the data. Internal consistency was excellent. Concurrent, convergent, predictive, and discriminant validity was demonstrated. The findings showed that the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire provides a valid measure of interpersonal needs in young Asian males. Thus, the instrument can be utilized to test the interpersonal psychological theory of suicidal behavior.
Highlights
Suicide is a salient problem with similar rates around the world
A parsimonious theory of the extenuating contexts underlying suicidal ideation is the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicidal behavior [3], which posits that two key interpersonal factors are perceived burdensomeness (PB) and thwarted belongingness (TB)
CFA confirmed adequate fit for a two-factor model, which was comprised of PB and TB
Summary
Suicide is a salient problem with similar rates around the world. For instance, the suicide prevalence rate for young people is 10.2 per 100,000 individuals in the US, 11.5 in Japan, and 8.7 in Singapore [1]. In the US, Wong et al [10] administrated the INQ-18 to a sample of Asian-American students They reported internal consistencies of .74 for PB and .88 for TB, and found that PB was significantly and positively associated with suicidal ideation. The structural validity of the INQ-18 and INQ-12 does not fit the two-factor model hypothesized by the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicidal ideation [3], at least in North-American samples. It was hypothesized that the INQ-15 would fit a two-factor model (representing the PB and TB constructs) and have good internal consistency It was predicted a positive correlation between interpersonal needs, depression and problem-solving appraisal, and a negative correlation between interpersonal needs and hope. Discriminant validity was tested by demonstrating that the constructs of PB and TB are unique and different from the relationship between the two constructs
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