The Relationship Between Social Problem-Solving and Suicidal Ideation and Behavior in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective: This article aimed to review and meta-analyse the relationship between social problem-solving and suicidal ideation, behavior, and risk (a combined measure of ideation and behavior). Method: A systematic search was carried out in February 2023 using PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and PubMed. Key inclusion criteria were published studies that recruited adults (aged ≥16 years), clinical or nonclinical samples, and presented data on the relationship between social problem-solving and suicidal ideation, behavior, or risk. Findings were meta-analysed and narratively reviewed. Results: A total of 35 studies were included in the review. Meta-analyses showed small–medium-sized negative relationships between social problem-solving and suicidal ideation (r = −.28) and suicide risk (r = −.24). A narrative synthesis also suggested a relationship between social problem-solving and suicidal behavior. These relationships appeared to be partly explained by depression and/or hopelessness. The relationships between social problem-solving facets and suicidal ideation, behavior, and risk, varied. Discussion: These findings provide the most robust evidence to date for the role of social problem-solving in suicidality and have important implications for risk assessment and intervention development. The generalizability of the findings is limited due to study samples being biased toward young, female, university students from the United States.