The protective effect of self-esteem on suicidal ideation among nursing home residents with limited social support in China: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Aim: This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the impact of limited social support and loneliness on suicidal ideation, under the influence of self-esteem, an important inner resource for quality living. Design: An observational cross-sectional study conducted from September 2018–April 2019. Methods: The participants comprised 538 nursing home residents selected by a stratified sampling method from all seven administrative districts in a capital city of eastern China. All the participants completed the survey that constituted the measurement of suicidal ideation, self-esteem, social support and loneliness. Path analysis was performed using the structural equation modelling method. Results: A moderating effect, with satisfactory model fit indices and significant path coefficients, was detected between self-esteem and suicidal ideation through limited social support and loneliness, revealing the multiple protective mechanisms of this psychological characteristic on the change of suicidal ideation.