Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire
INQ-15Thwarted Belongingness & Perceived Burdensomeness
15 items
2008
α 0.85–0.94
Free
Van Orden, K.A., Witte, T.K., Gordon, K.H., Bender, T.W., & Joiner, T.E.
Clinical safeguarding note: IMPORTANT: Contains items referencing beliefs about burdensomeness and death — use only with appropriate clinical oversight and crisis protocols in place. Freely available from Kimberly Van Orden. Perceived Burdensomeness subscale is a particularly strong predictor of suicidal ideation in Joiner's model.
What it measures
Measures the two interpersonal needs central to Joiner's Interpersonal Theory of Suicide: thwarted belongingness (feeling disconnected and lacking reciprocal care) and perceived burdensomeness (feeling that one is a burden and that death would benefit others). Both constructs predict suicidal ideation; their interaction predicts desire for death.
Representative items
- These days, I feel like I belong. (R, Thwarted Belongingness)
- These days, I rarely interact with people who care about me. (Thwarted Belongingness)
- These days, the people in my life would be better off if I were gone. (Perceived Burdensomeness)
- These days, I think my death would be a relief to the people in my life. (Perceived Burdensomeness)
- These days, I feel disconnected from other people. (Thwarted Belongingness)
Citation
Van Orden, K.A., Witte, T.K., Gordon, K.H., Bender, T.W., & Joiner, T.E. (2008). Suicidal desire and the capability for suicide: Tests of the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicidal behavior. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 76(1), 72–83.