This cross-sectional study examined whether primal world beliefs ('primals') were associated with current suicidal ideation (SI) above established cognitive predictors — dysfunctional self-beliefs and hopelessness — in a community sample of 147 adults (mean age ~40) with a history of SI.
Believing the world is 'Meaningful' (r = −.50) and 'Needs Me' (r = −.49) showed the strongest negative correlations with SI. In hierarchical regression, 'Meaningful' explained an additional 5.2% of SI variance and 'Needs Me' an additional 2.8%, beyond depressive symptoms, hopelessness, and dysfunctional self-beliefs. 'Needs Me' also moderated the hopelessness–SI link: at low levels of 'Needs Me,' higher hopelessness was tied to significantly greater SI.
- Cross-sectional design prevents causal inference. - Sample restricted to adults with a history of SI limits generalizability to broader populations or acute inpatient groups. - Online, community-based recruitment may introduce self-selection bias.
Clinicians assessing suicide risk may benefit from screening for a patient's sense that the world is meaningful and that they are needed — these beliefs add predictive value beyond hopelessness and dysfunctional self-beliefs. Targeting these primals in CBT or meaning-centered therapies could reduce SI, particularly in patients with high hopelessness.
