Date of Conferral

5-2-2025

Date of Award

May 2025

Degree

Doctor of Social Work (DSW)

School

Social Work

Advisor

Sean Hogan

Abstract

Efforts have been made to manage the phenomenon of suicide within the clinical setting; however, suicide remains a prevalent public health concern. The purpose of this research project was to explore the relationship between empathy and suicidality. The study was framed using Joiner’s interpersonal theory of suicide to determine the relationship between empathy, perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belonging, and suicidality in participants receiving outpatient mental health services. The research study was conducted utilizing a quantitative cross-sectional correlational survey design. Suicidality was measured using the Beck scale for suicide ideation and suicide behaviors questionnaire–revised; empathy using the cognitive, affective, and somatic empathy scale; perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belonging using the interpersonal needs questionnaire–revised. Data were collected from 99 adult individuals receiving outpatient mental health services and analyzed via Pearson and Spearman rho correlational and multiple linear regression analyses. Higher levels of cognitive empathy and overall empathy were correlated with higher levels of thwarted belonging but lower levels of perceived burdensomeness and suicidal ideation. Higher affective empathy levels were correlated with lower levels of perceived burdensomeness and suicidal ideation. Though empathy was not correlated with suicidal behaviors, findings in this research study have potential implications for positive social change that include suggesting the need for further research to better understand how empathy is related to suicidal ideation and ways to address the ideation prior to it transitioning to behaviors.

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