Relationship Between Self-Compassion, Thwarted Interpersonal Needs, and Suicidal Thoughts Among Indonesian Young Adults

Objectives: Risk and protective factors for suicide are under-researched in developing Asian countries. This study investigated the potential protective role of self-compassion and its subscales (compassionate and uncompassionate self-responding) in moderating the relationship between thwarted interpersonal needs and suicide ideation in young adults. Method: Indonesian university students (n = 510; age = 18–25 years) completed an online questionnaire that measured thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, recent suicide ideation, depressive symptoms, self-compassion, and demographic factors. Hierarchical linear regression models tested possible moderation effects. Results: Significant correlations were found between suicidal ideation, thwarted interpersonal needs (i.e., perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness), depressive symptoms, and self-compassion (including both the positive and negative subscales of compassionate and uncompassionate self-responding), all in the expected directions. A three-way interaction was observed between compassionate self-responding, perceived burdensomeness, and thwarted belongingness in determining suicidal ideation severity. The findings suggest that individuals with high levels of compassionate self-responding tend to experience lower levels of suicidal ideation, even in the presence of high perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness. Conclusions: Compassionate self-responding (i.e., responding to life stressors with self-kindness, a sense of common humanity, and mindfulness) may be an important protective factor in buffering the adverse effects of thwarted interpersonal needs on young people’s suicidal ideation. Therefore, interventions that enhance individuals’ ability to treat themselves with compassion may help reduce suicidal ideation. Preregistration: This study is not preregistered.