Social Psychology Research

Abstract Introduction: In the contemporary era, suicide is recognized as one of the most serious social problems, resulting in the death of a significant number of individuals who attempt it each year. Consequently, identifying the factors contributing to suicidal ideation is of paramount importance. The aim of the present study was to test a model of suicidal thoughts in students based on early emotional abuse and dark personality traits, with anger rumination serving as a mediating variable.
Method: This study was applied in terms of purpose and employed a descriptive-correlational design using structural equation modeling. The statistical population comprised all male and female students at Mohaghegh Ardabili University during the 2023–2024 academic year, from which a convenience sample of 305 participants was selected. Data were collected using the Suicidal Ideation Scale (Beck et al., 1979), the Anger Rumination Scale (Sukhodolsky et al., 2001), the Early Trauma Inventory (Bernstein et al., 2003), and the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen scale (Jonason & Webster, 2010). Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) were used to summarize the findings. Inferential analyses, including Pearson correlation tests and structural equation modeling, were conducted using SPSS-27 and AMOS-24 software.
Results: The results indicated that the proposed research model demonstrated a good fit with the data. Early emotional abuse had a significant direct effect (p < 0.01) and a significant indirect effect (p < 0.05) on suicidal thoughts, with the indirect effect being mediated by anger rumination. Additionally, dark personality traits exhibited a significant direct effect on suicidal thoughts (p < 0.01).
Conclusion: These findings can inform the design of educational and therapeutic interventions aimed at preventing suicidal thoughts and attempts by targeting early emotional experiences, maladaptive personality traits, and ruminative cognitive styles.