Association between parental psychological control and suicidality among college students: The chain mediating roles of perceived emotional invalidation and depressive symptoms and the moderating role of mindfulness

Death Stud. 2025 Dec 10:1-12. doi: 10.1080/07481187.2025.2598313. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Given that parental psychological control is a critical risk factor for suicidality, its underlying psychological mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the influence and mechanism of parental psychological control on suicidality among college students and establish a full model of interactive factors. In total, 945 college students were surveyed using the Parental Psychological Control Questionnaire, Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempts Questionnaire, Perceived Invalidation of Emotion Scale (PIES), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS). Results indicated that perceived emotional invalidation and depressive symptoms served as sequential mediators between parental psychological control and suicidality (suicidal ideation and suicide attempts). Mindfulness also moderates the relationship between depressive symptoms and suicidality. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the systemic effects of negative family factors on suicidality.

PMID:41369040 | DOI:10.1080/07481187.2025.2598313