Depressive symptomatology and different dimensions of social support serially mediate the effect of negative automatic thoughts on suicidal ideation

Many studies have examined risks factors that facilitated the transition from cognitive vulnerabilities to suicidal ideation. Few studies, however, have examined protective factors against this transition. This study aimed to investigate the buffering effect of different social support dimensions (from family, friends, and significant others) in the links from negative automatic thoughts to suicidal ideation and depressive symptomatology to suicidal ideation among Chinese college students. Also, we examined the mediating role of depressive symptomatology between negative automatic thoughts and suicidal ideation. 469 Chinese college students aged 17–23 were recruited and required to complete online questionnaires. The multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) was used to assess perceived support from family, friends, and significant others. Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation-Chinese Version (BSI-CV), Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ), and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) were used to evaluate suicidal ideation, negative automatic thoughts, and depressive symptomatology, respectively. Findings revealed that perceived family support could mediate the path between negative automatic thoughts and suicidal ideation, as well as the path between depressive symptomatology and suicidal ideation. However, both supports from friends and significant others could not buffer the adverse outcomes of negative automatic thoughts or depressive symptomatology on suicidal ideation. In addition, the relationship between negative automatic thoughts and suicidal ideation was partially mediated by depressive symptomatology in the present three mediation models. The findings of the current study highlight the potential value of different types of perceived social support against suicidal ideation among Chinese young adults.