The Effect of Adolescents’ Depression on Suicidal Ideation: Indirect Effects of Mindfulness and Gratitude and the Conditional Direct Effect of Self-Esteem

Abstract

Introduction. Globally, suicide ranks as the fourth leading cause of death, with adolescent suicide representing an increasingly critical issue. A rise in suicidal ideation often precedes actual suicide, and depression is one of the most significant predictors of such ideation. While numerous studies have examined the relationship between depression and suicidal ideation, the persistent rise in suicide rates indicates the need to explore new mechanisms underlying this association. The present study aimed to investigate the mediating effects of mindfulness and gratitude, as well as the conditional direct effect of self-esteem, on the relationship between depression and suicidal ideation among adolescents. Study participants and methods. The participants were 609 middle and high school students in South Korea, selected through purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using SPSS PC+ Win. 25.0 and the PROCESS macro for SPSS (version 4.2). Frequency analysis, reliability analysis, and correlation analysis were conducted using SPSS, while Model 5 of the PROCESS macro was employed to examine indirect and conditional direct effects. Results. First, correlation analysis revealed that depression was positively correlated with suicidal ideation, while it was negatively correlated with mindfulness, gratitude, and self-esteem. Moreover, mindfulness, gratitude, and self-esteem showed significant positive intercorrelations. Second, the mediating effect of mindfulness on the relationship between depression and suicidal ideation was significant (B = -0.0430, 95% CI [-0.0886, -0.0010]). The mediating effect of gratitude was also significant (B = 0.0748, 95% CI [0.0380, 0.1137]). These findings indicate that both mindfulness and gratitude buffer the effect of depression on suicidal ideation. Additionally, the interaction term between depression and self-esteem had a significant negative effect on suicidal ideation (B = -0.1611, p