The Mediating Role of Self-Steem on Hopelessness and Suicide Ideation

Suicidal ideation is a critical public health issue. Previous research has identified hopelessness and self-esteem as key predictors of suicidal ideation; however, their potential interactive effects remain underexplored. This study examines the mediating role of self-esteem in the relationship between hopelessness and suicidal ideation. A total of 703 young adults (Mage = 22.1, SD = 4.27) from Ecuador participated. Measures included the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and Positive and Negative Suicide Ideation (PANSI) scale. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was employed to assess direct and indirect effects. Results confirmed that both hopelessness and self-esteem significantly predict suicidal ideation, with hopelessness exerting a direct effect and an indirect effect mediated by self-esteem. Self-esteem partially mediated the relationship between hopelessness and suicidal ideation, accounting for 20.3% of the total effect. Together, hopelessness and self-esteem explained 41.7% of the variance in positive suicidal ideation and 59.7% in negative suicidal ideation, underscoring their predictive significance. These findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of suicidal ideation by demonstrating a multiple interaction model. From a practical perspective, they highlight the importance of fostering self-esteem as a protective factor against suicidal thoughts. Given the high prevalence of suicidal ideation among young adults, interventions should focus on reducing hopelessness and enhancing self-esteem to mitigate suicide risk. Future research should incorporate longitudinal designs to further explore causal relationships among these psychological constructs.