The Mediating Role of Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction in the Relationship Between Early Object Relations and Suicidal Ideation Among Adolescents

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of basic psychological needs satisfaction in the relationship between early object relations and suicidal ideation among adolescents aged 12 to 18 years in Yasuj city. This study employed a descriptive-correlational design using path analysis. The statistical population included all adolescents aged 12 to 18 years in Yasuj city during 2025, from whom 384 participants were selected using multistage stratified random sampling based on the Morgan and Krejcie table. Data collection instruments included Bell’s Object Relations Inventory, Deci and Ryan’s Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction Scale, and Beck’s Scale for Suicide Ideation. Data were analyzed using SPSS-26 and AMOS-26 software through descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, path analysis, and bootstrapping procedures. The results indicated significant positive relationships between insecure attachment, alienation, social incompetence, egocentricity, and suicidal ideation (P<0.01). In addition, basic psychological needs satisfaction had a significant negative relationship with suicidal ideation (P<0.01). Path analysis demonstrated that the proposed model had acceptable goodness-of-fit indices. Furthermore, the indirect effects of early object relations on suicidal ideation through basic psychological needs satisfaction were significant, confirming the mediating role of this variable. The findings demonstrated that maladaptive early object relations may increase adolescents’ suicidal ideation through reducing satisfaction of basic psychological needs. Therefore, improving family relationship quality and strengthening adolescents’ psychological need satisfaction may play an important role in preventing suicidal ideation and promoting adolescent mental health.