Associations Between Suicide Stigma, Depressive Symptoms, and Psychological Well-Being in a Kazakhstani Sample

Abstract

Suicide stigma is considered one of the factors that hinder help-seeking behavior and the prevention of suicidal behavior. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between suicide stigma, depressive symptoms, and psychological well-being in a Kazakhstani sample.

The study included 1,139 respondents aged 18 to 87 years. Suicide stigma was assessed using the Stigma of Suicide Scale – Short Form (SOSS-SF), depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and psychological well-being was assessed using the Mental Health Continuum – Short Form (MHC-SF). Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression analysis were used for statistical data analysis.

The highest scores were identified on the “Isolation/Depression” subscale. Statistically significant associations were found between components of suicide stigma, depressive symptomatology, and psychological well-being. The strongest statistical associations with psychological indicators were identified for the “Isolation/Depression” subscale. Depressive symptomatology consistently emerged as a psychological predictor of different components of suicide stigma.

The findings expand the current understanding of the psychological and sociodemographic factors associated with different components of suicide stigma and may contribute to the development of suicide prevention programs, anti-stigma interventions, and mental health promotion initiatives in Kazakhstan.