Structural Relationships of Suicidal Ideation Based on Dark Personality Traits and Basic Psychological Needs, with the Mediating Role of Difficulties in Emotion Regulation

Sadri, Sajjad; Ahmadi, Shirin

doi:10.22059/japr.2025.395413.645255

Structural Relationships of Suicidal Ideation Based on Dark Personality Traits and Basic Psychological Needs, with the Mediating Role of Difficulties in Emotion Regulation

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

sajjad sadri ¹

shirin ahmadi ²

¹ MA, Clinical Psychology Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil Branch, Ardabil, Iran

² Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran

10.22059/japr.2025.395413.645255

Abstract

The present study aimed to examine the structural model of suicidal ideation based on dark personality traits and basic psychological needs, with the mediating role of emotion dysregulation. This descriptive-correlational research employed structural equation modeling (SEM). The statistical population included male high school students in Ardabil during the first semester of the 2023–2024 academic year, from which 168 individuals were selected through convenience sampling. The instruments used were the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), the Dark Personality Traits Questionnaire (DPTQ), and the Basic Psychological Needs Questionnaire (BPNQ). Data were analyzed using SPSS 25 and SmartPLS 3. The findings revealed that components of dark personality traits (narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism) and emotion dysregulation had a significant and positive direct effect on suicidal ideation. In contrast, basic psychological needs (competence, relatedness, and autonomy) showed a significant and negative direct effect. Moreover, dark personality traits and psychological needs also had significant indirect effects on suicidal ideation through emotion dysregulation. These findings highlight the necessity of implementing school-based prevention programs focused on enhancing emotion regulation skills, strengthening basic psychological needs, and identifying high-risk personality traits among adolescents.

Keywords

Suicidal ideation

Difficulties in Emotion Regulation

Dark Personality Traits

Basic Psychological need