# Longitudinal Temporal Mediation Within the Motivational Phase of the Integrated Motivational‐Volitional (IMV) Model of Suicidal Behavior With Moderation of Loneliness and Resilience

## TL;DR

This study supports the role of entrapment in linking defeat to suicidal thoughts and shows how loneliness and resilience influence this relationship over time.

## Contribution

The study provides longitudinal evidence for the motivational phase of the IMV model and identifies moderators of the defeat-entrapment-suicidal ideation pathway.

## Key findings

- Wave 2 entrapment mediated the relationship between wave 1 defeat and wave 3 suicidal ideation.
- Wave 1 loneliness and resilience moderated the pathway from defeat to entrapment.
- Wave 2 resilience or loneliness did not moderate the pathway from entrapment to suicidal ideation.

## Abstract

The Integrated Motivational‐Volitional (IMV) Model of Suicidal Behavior places defeat and entrapment central to the development of suicidal ideation. Factors such as loneliness and resilience may moderate risk. This study examines the longitudinal relationship between these variables.

Secondary data from the UK COVID‐19 Mental Health and Wellbeing Study (COVID‐MH) were analyzed (n = 2518). Defeat, entrapment, loneliness, resilience, and suicidal ideation were measured across 3 waves (March to May 2020). Six longitudinal mediation models were tested, each with wave 2 entrapment (or subscales) as mediator of wave 1 defeat and wave 3 suicidal ideation. Loneliness and resilience (from waves 1 and 2) were included as moderators of the associations between defeat and entrapment with suicidal ideation.

Wave 2 entrapment mediated the relationship between wave 1 defeat and wave 3 suicidal ideation, controlling for wave 1 entrapment and suicidal ideation. Wave 1 loneliness and resilience moderated the pathway from defeat to entrapment, but wave 2 resilience or loneliness did not moderate the pathway from entrapment to suicidal ideation.

Findings provide robust longitudinal support for the motivational phase of the IMV model and highlight the importance of targeting entrapment and loneliness and enhancing resilience.