Perceived responsiveness in suicidal ideation: an experience sampling study in psychiatric patients

Introduction: Perceived responsiveness, or the extent to which one feels understood, validated, and cared for by close others, plays a crucial role in people’s well-being. Can this specific interpersonal process also protect people at risk? We assessed if fluctuations in suicidal ideation were associated with fluctuations in the degree of perceived responsiveness that psychiatric patients (admitted in the context of suicide or indicating suicidal ideation) experienced in daily interactions immediately after discharge. Methods: Fifty-seven patients reported repeatedly on suicidal ideation (5 times a day) and perceived responsiveness (daily) for 4 consecutive weeks. Effects of established risk factors – thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and hopelessness- were assessed as well. Results: Multilevel analyses revealed that the more patients felt that close others had been responsive to them, the less suicidal ideation they reported. At low levels of thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness or hopelessness, perceived responsiveness seemed to play a protective role, negatively co-occurring with suicidal ideation. When thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness and hopelessness were high, perceived responsiveness did not have an effect. Conclusion: Perceived responsiveness could be a protective factor for suicidal ideation for people at risk. When experiencing highly negative perceptions, however, positive effects of social bonds diminish.