Mapping the self-compassion-suicidal ideation link: A serial multiple mediation path analysis involving basic psychological needs and ultra-processed food intake.

BACKGROUND

Recent lifestyle psychiatry research has highlighted the harmful effects of ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption on mental health. Although UPF intake has been linked to depression and anxiety, its association with suicidal ideation remains underexplored. The psychological mechanisms underlying this relationship, particularly the roles of self-compassion and basic psychological needs, are also unclear.

METHODS

A cross-sectional online survey included 400 Japanese adults aged 20-59, stratified by national age distribution. Measures included self-compassion, basic psychological needs, suicidal ideation, and an ad hoc weekly UPF intake measure covering fast food, sugar-sweetened beverages, packaged snacks, cookies, energy drinks, sweetened cereals, and pizza. Serial mediation analysis was conducted using maximum likelihood and 5000 bootstrap resamples.

RESULTS

Self-compassion was positively associated with basic psychological needs (β = 0.369), which in turn negatively predicted UPF intake frequency (β = -0.13) and suicidal ideation (β = -0.360). UPF intake was positively associated with suicidal ideation (β = 0.129). The total indirect effect of self-compassion on suicidal ideation was significant (β = -0.126), supporting a serial mediation pathway. Model fit was excellent (CFI = 0.995, RMSEA = 0.041).

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that self-compassion may function as an upstream factor associated with suicidal ideation through psychological need satisfaction and UPF consumption in Japanese adults. Although causal inference is not possible, the observed mediation pattern supports further longitudinal and intervention research on psychological-skills training and dietary guidance for suicide prevention.