The Causal Relationships between Emotional Intelligence and Suicidal Ideation in Adolescents Living in State Welfare Organization: Evaluating the Mediating Role of Finding Meaning in Life and Perceived Social Support

The present study was conducted to explain the causal relationships between emotional intelligence (EI) and suicidal ideation (SI) in adolescents living in state welfare organizations (SWO): evaluating the mediating role of finding meaning in life and perceived social support (PSS). The sample consisted of ۳۲۰ adolescents living in Tehran's SWO, who were selected by multistage cluster sampling and participated in the research. The current research was descriptive and correlational (using structural equation modeling; SEM). The data were collected using the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (۲۰۰۲), the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ; Steger et al., ۲۰۰۶), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS; Zimet et al., ۱۹۸۸) and were analyzed using SPSS ۲۲.۰ and Amos ۲۴.۰ software. The results showed that the model fits the collected data (c۲/df =۲.۳۷, CFI=۰.۹۵۷, GFI=۰.۹۲۰, AGFI=۰.۸۸۱, and RMSEA=۰.۰۶۶). Direct path coefficient (PC) between EI (β=۰.۱۷۷, P>۰.۰۱), finding meaning in life (β=۰.۳۱۱, P>۰.۰۱) and PSS (β=۰.۴۲۷, P>۰.۰۱) with SI was negative and significant. The indirect PC between EI (β=-۰.۱۰۱, P=۰.۰۰۱) and finding meaning in life (β=۰.۱۱۱, P=۰.۰۰۱) with SI was negative and significant. The structural model of the research was the same in terms of fit with the data of two groups of girls and boys. Adolescents living in SWO are more vulnerable to suicide due to their special experiences. Finding meaning in life, higher EI, and social connections can reduce SI in adolescents and act as protective factors.

کلیدواژه ها:

Suicidal ideation ، Emotional intelligence ، Finding meaning in life ، Perceived social support