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Ruminative subtypes as a moderator of the relationship between self-compassion and suicidality

We sought to determine whether ruminative subtypes modulate the relationship between self-compassion and thwarted belongingness (TB) and perceived burdensomeness (PB). The coalescence of PB and TB elicits suicidal desire (Van Orden et al., 2010). Self-compassion has been found to ameliorate suffering and self-blame, serving as a reliable protective factor for suicide (Sun et al., 2020). Rumination impacts the relationship between self-compassion and psychopathology (Raes, 2010) and the brooding subtype was consistently found as a risk factor for suicide (Rogers et al., 2017). Participants were undergraduate students (n =264; Mage = 20.85, SD= 5.29; 82% Female, 63% White) who completed the: self-compassion scale (Neff, 2003), ruminative response scale (Nolen & Morrow, 1991), and interpersonal needs questionnaire (Van Orden et al., 2008). Using multiple regression analyses, we found the model examining the effect of self-compassion, rumination subtypes, and their interactions on PB was significant (F(1,101)= 36.98, R2=.261, p<.001). There was a significant main effect of brooding (b=4.99, t=3.227, p=.002) and a significant two-way interaction effect between self-compassion and brooding (b=-.262,t=-3.393, p=.001) on PB. Only the model containing main effects was significant (F(1,100)= 35.23, R2=.253, p<.001) specifically both SC (b=-.942, t=-4.109, p<.001) and brooding (b=.812, t=2.381, p=.02) was associated with TB. Our findings suggest that the effects of brooding on self-compassion towards TB/PB are more impactful than reflection and warrants attention in assessing suicidality.