Exploring the Association Between Bullying Victimization and Suicidal Thoughts Through Theoretical Frameworks of Suicide
John F. Gunn III & Sara E. Goldstein
Sara E. Goldstein Department of Family Science & Human Development, Montclair State University, 1 Normal Ave., University Hall Room 4144, Montclair, NJ, 07043, USA
Correspondence to John F. Gunn III.
dans International Journal of Bullying Prevention (2020) Published:
Abstract
The role of bullying victimization in suicide has been discussed at length in the literature. Additionally, it is an association that has gained widespread attention in media, with shows like 13 Reasons Why receiving a great deal of attention. However, just how bullying victimization can contribute to suicidal thoughts is less understood. The present study explores two theoretical frameworks for suicide within the context of bullying victimization: the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide (IPTS) and the social pain model (SPM). In a sample of college students (N = 252), we explored three models: (1) a model drawn from the SPM, (2) a model drawn from the IPTS, and (3) a combined model informed from model 1 and 2. The combined model showed greater support for the IPTS in understanding the bullying-suicide link—though this support was partly attenuated by the introduction of depressive and anxiety symptoms as a control. The findings highlight the role of perceived burdensomeness, hopelessness, and depressive and anxiety symptoms in the experience of suicidal thoughts. Further work is needed to expand upon the role of bullying in theoretical frameworks for suicide.
Suicide claims over 47,000 lives annually in the USA at a rate of 14.5 per 100,000 persons and is the 10th leading cause of death (Drapeau et al. 2018). However, for the young (age 15–24 years) suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death, though this varies by race and gender. One factor that may contribute to suicidal thoughts and behaviors at these developmental periods is the experience of bullying victimization (Gunn and Goldstein 2016). Bullying victimization refers to repeated exposure to negative experiences perpetrated by one or more members of a peer group (Olweus 1991). Bullying victimization may impact between 20 and 35% of students (US Department of Education 2016; Modecki et al. 2014). Additionally, some populations experience bullying victimization at even more elevated rates. Previous research indicates that LGBTQ+ youth experience bullying victimization at greater rates than their heterosexual peers (Berlan et al. 2010; Kahle 2017; DeSmet et al. 2018) as do persons with disabilities (Rose et al. 2015; Chatzitheochari et al. 2016; Beckman et al. 2019).
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