Social Vulnerability and Suicidal Ideation in Nursing Home Residents: The Mediating Role of Meaning in Life

Background and ObjectivesSuicidal ideation (SI) in nursing homes remains underexplored. This study examined whether meaning in life mediates associations between social vulnerability, perceived burdensomeness, and SI.Research Design and MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study with 231 residents from Valencian Community, Spain, aged 60 years or older with preserved or mildly impaired cognitive functioning. Structural equation modeling tested direct and indirect associations.ResultsLower meaning in life was associated with higher SI. Perceived burdensomeness and low social support were not directly associated with SI but were indirectly associated through reduced meaning in life, explaining 42.8% of its variance. Loneliness was directly associated with SI, whereas its association with low meaning in life was borderline.Discussion and ImplicationsMeaning in life may play a relevant role in the psychosocial factors examined and SI, although longitudinal research is needed. Interventions enhancing meaning and addressing loneliness may improve suicide prevention in nursing homes.