Perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness predict excessive reassurance seeking among clinical outpatients.

OBJECTIVE

The current study aimed to investigate whether perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness (i.e., suicide risk factors) were associated with excessive reassurance seeking (a behavior linked to rejection). It was predicted that perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness would predict higher levels of excessive reassurance seeking, controlling for depressive symptoms and global functioning.

METHOD

A cross-sectional sample of 415 clinical outpatients (62% female; mean age = 28) was examined.

RESULTS

Perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness significantly predicted excessive reassurance seeking, controlling for depressive symptoms and global functioning.

CONCLUSIONS

Perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness predicted excessive reassurance seeking, suggesting that it would be beneficial for clinicians to assess for and target excessive reassurance seeking among individuals experiencing perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness so that excessive reassurance seeking does not elicit interpersonal rejection.