The impact of rejection sensitivity on suicidal ideation among college students: the role of social connectedness and negative affect

This study aimed to explore the relationship between rejection sensitivity and suicidal ideation among college students and to examine the chain-mediated role of social connectedness and negative affect in this association. Using a cross-sectional survey design, 1152 college students (43.75% female, 56.25% male) were recruited through stratified cluster convenience sampling and completed measures assessing rejection sensitivity, social connectedness, negative affect, and suicidal ideation. Bivariate correlations were examined, and mediation analyses were conducted to test whether social connectedness and negative affect independently and sequentially mediated the association between rejection sensitivity and suicidal ideation. Rejection sensitivity was positively associated with negative affect and suicidal ideation, and negatively associated with social connectedness. Social connectedness and negative affect each independently mediated the relationship between rejection sensitivity and suicidal ideation, and they also functioned as chain mediators in this relationship. Overall, rejection sensitivity was both directly and indirectly associated with suicidal ideation through the chain-mediated effects of social connectedness and negative affect.