Emotion Regulation Difficulties and Suicidal Ideation Among Emerging Adults: A Mixed-Methods Investigation of Psychological Mechanisms, Interpersonal Vulnerabilities, and Protective Factors

Leili Rahimi; Zahra Ahmadi Shuli

Authors

Leili Rahimi M.Sc. in General Psychology, Marv.C., Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht, Iran Corresponding Author https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8497-4755
Zahra Ahmadi Shuli M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology, Ta.C., Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0001-2000-5138

Keywords:

Emotion Regulation Difficulties, Suicidal Ideation, Emerging Adults, Psychological Distress, Perceived Burdensomeness, Thwarted Belongingness, Social Support, Resilience, Mixed Methods

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the association between emotion regulation difficulties and suicidal ideation among emerging adults by examining psychological distress, perceived burdensomeness, and thwarted belongingness as explanatory mechanisms and perceived social support and psychological resilience as protective factors. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was employed. The quantitative phase included 420 emerging adults aged 18–29 years residing in Tehran, Iran, who completed standardized measures of emotion regulation difficulties, suicidal ideation, psychological distress, interpersonal needs, perceived social support, and resilience. Pearson correlations, hierarchical multiple regression, bootstrapped mediation, and moderation analyses were conducted. Subsequently, 24 participants were purposively selected for semi-structured interviews, and the qualitative data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Quantitative and qualitative findings were integrated at the interpretation stage. Emotion regulation difficulties were strongly associated with suicidal ideation (r = .61, p < .001) and explained substantial additional variance beyond demographic factors. In the final regression model, emotion regulation difficulties (β = .23, p < .001), psychological distress (β = .17, p < .001), perceived burdensomeness (β = .22, p < .001), and thwarted belongingness (β = .14, p = .001) positively predicted suicidal ideation, whereas perceived social support (β = -.17, p < .001) and resilience (β = -.18, p < .001) negatively predicted it. The model explained 56.7% of the variance. Significant indirect effects were observed through psychological distress, perceived burdensomeness, and thwarted belongingness. Social support and resilience significantly weakened the association between emotion regulation difficulties and suicidal ideation. Qualitative themes converged with these findings by highlighting emotional escalation, interpersonal disconnection, cognitive entrapment, and protective reconnection. Suicidal ideation among emerging adults appears to reflect an interconnected process in which emotion regulation difficulties operate both directly and through psychological and interpersonal vulnerabilities, while social support and resilience provide meaningful protective buffering.

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