The Relationship Between Metacognitive Beliefs and Suicidal Ideation Among Chinese Male Prisoners: A Network Analysis

Background: The relationship between metacognitive beliefs and suicidal ideation is complex, yet there is limited research exploring 'the fine-grained and comorbid pathways between the two variables', particularly in prisoners.

Methods: Data were collected from prisoners who completed demographic surveys and psychological scales between February and March 2024. Demographic information included age, educational background and duration of imprisonment. The Metacognitions Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30) and Self-Rating Idea of Suicide Scale (SIOSS) were administered. Using R 4.2.3 software, a network model of metacognitive beliefs and suicidal ideation was constructed, with expected influence (EI) and bridge expected influence (BEI) calculated to compare the roles of specific symptoms within the network.

Results: The network model revealed 21 significant edges between metacognitive beliefs and the suicidal ideation community. The most vital edges across communities included 'Negative beliefs about worry' and 'Despair', 'Cognitive confidence' and 'Despair', 'Cognitive self-consciousness' and 'Optimism', and 'Cognitive confidence' and 'Sleep' (with edge weights of 0.30, 0.16, -0.16 and 0.11, respectively). 'Despair' demonstrated the highest EI value, exerting the strongest impact on the network. The highest BEI values were found for 'Negative beliefs about worry' and 'Despair'.

Conclusion: Network analyses underscore the intricate interplay between metacognitive beliefs and suicidal ideation among prisoners at the symptom level. These findings highlight specific areas for therapeutic focus, potentially leading to more effective mental health support for incarcerated individuals.