Symposia
Schizophrenia / Psychotic Disorders
Genesis M. Saenz-Escalante, B.A.
University of Miami
Miami, Florida
Daisy Lopez, M.S.
Graduate Student
University of Miami
Miami Beach, Florida
Amy G. Weisman de Mamani, Ph.D.
Professor
University of Miami
Coral Gables, Florida
Research has found that before the onset of a psychotic disorder, 66% of individuals in the prodromal or clinical high-risk stage report suicidal ideation (SI) and 18% attempt suicide (Taylor et al., 2015). Research suggests that gossiping/spreading rumors can help build or strengthen social bonds and promote cooperation in groups (Jolly & Chang, 2021; De Anda, 2021); however, it can also be detrimental (Stewart et al., 2018; Wang et al., 2020). Negative social engagement poses an important risk factor for suicide (Joiner, 2005). For example, feelings of thwarted belonging, or ostracization, have been found to be associated with greater SI (Chen et al., 2020). On the other hand, among youth and individuals with schizophrenia, greater family cohesion has been found to be a protective against suicidality (Peña et al., 2011; Lucey et al., 2012; Lopez et al., 2020). It is feasible that gossip and rumors within one's family might be harmful. However, no research has examined the relationship between suicidality and the prevalence of rumors in families, nor in subclinical or psychotic populations. Examining this association while considering individuals’ subclinical symptoms of psychosis can help us understand how family rumors, subclinical psychosis, and suicidal ideation interact.
The current study examined associations between subclinical symptoms of psychosis (SSP), suicidal ideation, and prevalence of family rumors (FR) among a non-clinical sample of 55 adults (age: M=19.13; Male=40%, White=50.9%) using the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences questionnaire (Konings et al., 2006), the Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale (van Spiiker et al., 2014), and a version of the Organizational Rumor Scale for Educational Institutions adapted for rumors in families (Dagli & Han, 2018).
As hypothesized, using a moderation model, the interaction between FR and SSP was associated with SI after controlling for race, F(1, 49) =6.24, p = .04. When examining conditional effects at different levels of SSP, FR were associated with greater SI only when individuals endorsed greater SSP, b=.45, SE=.19, p</em>=.02.
The study results highlight the importance of family environment and assessing rumors, as they may confer risk of suicide when individuals present with greater SSP. Further research should examine the underlying mechanisms of family rumors, which can aid in shaping interventions and prevention efforts among this population.