Prediction of Suicidal Thoughts Based on Spiritual Attitude, Identity Styles, and Life Attitude in Secondary School Students

Objective: The present study aimed to predict suicidal thoughts based on spiritual attitude, identity styles, and life attitude in secondary school students. Methods and Materials: This research employed a descriptive-correlational design. The statistical population included all 11th-grade female students in the city of Savojbolagh during the 2022–2023 academic year. Using the Plenth formula, a sample of 130 participants was selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (1974), the Shahidi and Farajnia Questionnaire (2012), Berzonsky’s Identity Style Inventory (1992), and the Meaning in Life Questionnaire by Steger, Frazier, Oishi, and Kaler (2006). Data analysis was conducted using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and simultaneous multiple regression analysis. Findings: The results indicated a significant negative relationship between spiritual attitude and suicidal thoughts (p<0.01), and spiritual attitude was found to be a predictor of suicidal thoughts among students, accounting for 32 percent of the variance in suicidal thoughts. There was a significant relationship between identity styles (informational, normative, diffuse-avoidant, commitment) and suicidal thoughts in students (p<0.01), and the dimensions of identity styles predicted suicidal thoughts, accounting for 41 percent of the variance. A significant relationship was also found between life attitude (presence of meaning in life, search for meaning, life attitude) and suicidal thoughts (p<0.01), with the dimensions of life attitude predicting suicidal thoughts and explaining 10 percent of the variance. Among the predictors, identity styles contributed the most to the prediction of suicidal thoughts. Conclusion: Overall, the findings suggest that spiritual attitude, identity styles, and life attitude play a significant role in the formation and reduction of suicidal thoughts. These factors should be considered when planning preventive and intervention strategies.