title: Psychological pathway to suicidal ideation among men who have sex with men in Shanghai, China: A structural equation model.
abstract: We aimed to explore the relationships and develop an inter-theoretical model among psychological variables in the progression to suicidal ideation among men who have sex with men (MSM). A cross-sectional study was conducted among 547 MSM in four districts in Shanghai from March to May in 2014. Socio-demographic, psychological, and behavioral information of the participants was collected. A structural equation model (SEM)-Path Analysis was constructed to interpret the intricate relationships among various psychological variables. Suicidal ideation among MSM during the past year was 10.6%. The developed model agreed well with existing suicide models and had a good fit to the data (χ2/df = 2.497, comparative fit index = 0.983, root mean squared error of approximation = 0.052). Suicidal ideation was predicted by perceived defeat and entrapment (β = 0.21, p < 0.001), which was in turn predicted by temperament (β = 0.60, p < 0.001) and perceived social support (β = 0.34, p < 0.001). Perceived social support fully mediated the relationships among mood states, perceived social status, and perceived defeat and entrapment. MSM with certain types of temperament might be predisposed to a higher perception of defeat and entrapment. Perceived social support can effectively alleviate the negative appraisals and emotions and lower the risk for suicidal ideation among MSM.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No. 227, South Chongqing Road, Shanghai, 200025, PR China.
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No. 227, South Chongqing Road, Shanghai, 200025, PR China; Shanghai Jiao Tong University Institute of Social Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences, No. 800, Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, PR China. Electronic address: caiyong202028@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No. 227, South Chongqing Road, Shanghai, 200025, PR China; Shanghai Jiao Tong University Institute of Social Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences, No. 800, Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, PR China. Electronic address: yingwangxun@163.com.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: School of Continuing Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No. 1954, Hua Shan Road, Shanghai, 200030, PR China.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gan
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 1200, Cai Lun Road, Shanghai, 201203, PR China. Electronic address: shirong61@163.com.
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002681:China; D004644:Emotions; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Men who have sex with men; Psychological pathway; Structural equation model; Suicidal ideation