Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


case1350160014.pdf (525.99 KB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

From the outside looking in: Sense of belonging, depression, and suicide risk

Fisher, Lauren B.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1350160014

Abstract Details

2013, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Psychology.
Sense of belonging has demonstrated significant relationships with depression and suicidal thoughts, highlighting its potential utility in refining assessment of suicide risk. Sense of belonging is conceptualized as an individual’s experience of feeling valued, needed, and accepted by people in his or her social environment. The present study utilized the Sense of Belonging Instrument to examine sense of belonging in 116 depressed veterans recruited from a psychiatric outpatient and day treatment program at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Participants were assessed for the presence of a depressive disorder using a structured clinical interview. Self-report measures of depression, suicidal behaviors, hopelessness, life stress, social support, and sense of belonging were completed. Lower sense of belonging was significantly associated with greater severity of depression, hopelessness, and suicidal ideation. In addition, lower sense of belonging was significantly related to history of previous suicide attempt(s). However, sense of belonging did not relate to suicidal ideation and past suicide attempt(s) beyond the association between suicidal ideation and established risk factors. Sense of belonging displayed a significant relationship with depression and hopelessness and is likely to play a critical role in both the development and recovery from depression. Low sense of belonging provides an important target for assessment and intervention in the treatment of depression. Cognitive, behavioral, and interpersonal interventions may help to improve an individual’s sense of belonging and decrease symptoms of depression and hopelessness.
James Overholser, PhD (Committee Chair)
Norah Feeny, PhD (Committee Member)
Julie Exline, PhD (Committee Member)
Abraham Wolf, PhD (Committee Member)
107 p.
Psychology
belonging; depression; hopelessness; suicide

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Fisher, L. B. (2013). From the outside looking in: Sense of belonging, depression, and suicide risk [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1350160014

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Fisher, Lauren. From the outside looking in: Sense of belonging, depression, and suicide risk. 2013. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1350160014.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Fisher, Lauren. "From the outside looking in: Sense of belonging, depression, and suicide risk." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1350160014

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1350160014
6,338
© 2012, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.