Existential isolation and suicidal ideation among college students: The mediating effect of entrapment and the moderating effect of authenticity
Mi, Xin & Li, Xincheng (2026)
- Published
- Jan 1, 2026
- DOI
- 10.32604/jpa.2026.081616
At a GlanceAI
Authenticity may buffer the pathway from existential isolation to suicidal ideation through feelings of entrapment in college students.
SummaryAI
In a large sample of Chinese college students, existential isolation was associated with greater suicidal ideation, both directly and through stronger feelings of entrapment. The study identifies authenticity as a protective factor: higher authenticity weakened links from isolation to entrapment and suicidal ideation, and from entrapment to suicidal ideation. The findings point to existential disconnection and entrapment as relevant targets for suicide prevention, while suggesting potential value in supporting authentic self-expression.
Method SnapshotAI
Cross-sectional self-report survey with bootstrap tests of mediation and moderation.
BackgroundAI
Basic knowledge of suicide risk, existential isolation, and mediation/moderation in psychological research.
Just standard work, nothing fundamentally new
— ES