Role of Maladaptive Emotion Regulation Strategies in Suicidal Attitude among University Students

Abstract

Suicidal attitudes among young adults are a growing concern, particularly in university populations, where stress and maladaptive cognitive processes often exacerbate vulnerability. Maladaptive emotion regulation strategies, including self-blame, other-blame, rumination, and catastrophizing, are linked to various mental health challenges, including suicidal attitude. This study explores the relationship between these strategies and suicidal attitudes, addressing gaps in the literature and building on evidence suggesting these cognitive patterns significantly affect psychological distress (Aldao et al., 2010; Garnefski & Kraaij,2007). A purposive sample of 100 university students (aged 18–30, mean age = 23.36) from Varanasi, India, was recruited. Participants completed the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) and the Suicidal Attitude Scale (SAS–TGML). Correlation analysis assessed relationships between maladaptive emotion regulation strategies and suicidal attitudes. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify predictors of suicidal attitudes, with the maladaptive strategies as independent variables and suicidal attitudes as the dependent variable. Correlation analysis showing significant positive relationships between suicidal attitudes and maladaptive strategies: catastrophizing (r = .760, p < .01), self-blame (r = .586, p < .01), blaming others (r = .593, p < .01), and rumination (r = .470, p < .01). Regression analysis showed that catastrophizing (β = .596, p < .001) was the strongest predictor, followed by self-blame (β = .250, p = .030). The model accounted for 66.5% of the variance in suicidal attitudes (R² = .665, F = 47.23, p < .001). This study highlights the significant impact of maladaptive emotion regulation strategies, particularly catastrophizing and self-blame, on suicidal attitudes. These findings highlight the importance of addressing maladaptive emotion regulation strategies in suicide prevention among university students. These results emphasize the significance of focusing on catastrophizing thought patterns and self-blame tendencies in efforts to prevent suicide on college campuses, The findings emphasize the need for interventions targeting these cognitive processes to mitigate suicide risk in university populations. Future research should explore longitudinal effects and diverse populations to enhance understanding and inform prevention strategies.