Trapped by Comparison: How Social Rank Fuels Suicidal Thoughts Across Racial Backgrounds

OBJECTIVES: Social comparison is a socio-cognitive process that can increase risk for suicidal thoughts through feelings of defeat and entrapment. However, its role as a risk factor for racially minoritized individuals remains unclear. This study examined whether social comparison and subjective social rank (one's perceived position derived from social comparison) predict suicidal thoughts via defeat and entrapment particularly for racially minoritized young adults. METHODS: College students from predominantly White institutions (N = 409) completed online surveys at baseline and one-month follow-up. Eligible participants reported moderate depressive symptoms and/or recent suicidal ideation. RESULTS: Path analyses showed that perceived social rank is a risk factor for suicidal thoughts across racial groups, but may lead to defeat and entrapment only for White students. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, perceived social rank may be vital in understanding suicide risk among young adults, but the processes may differ for racially minoritized young adults. Learning how and why racially minoritized young adults develop perceptions of lower social rank may help to identify more equitable suicide prevention interventions.