Linking Emotional Regulation Difficulties and Suicidal Ideation: A Network Analysis in Ecuadorian Medical and Nursing Students

Santillán-García N.; Moreta-Herrera R.; Rodas J.A.; Shugulí-Zambrano C.; Laz-Figueroa K.L.; Gallegos M. · Illness Crisis and Loss (2026) · DOI: 10.1177/10541373261491915

Resumen

Objective: To examine the connections between difficulties in emotion regulation (DER) and suicidal ideation (SI) in a sample of medical and nursing students in Ecuador. Method: A nonregularized network analysis was applied to identify interconnections between nodes across theoretical communities. Participants: The study included 618 students from four Ecuadorian universities enrolled in medicine and nursing. Ages ranged from 18 to 43 years (M = 20.33; SD = 2.32). Results: DER and SI formed a network of appropriate density with a small-world structure. The constructs clustered into clearly defined theoretical communities. Within-group relations were positive, while two nodes acted as bridges linking both communities through positive associations. Conclusion: DER and SI form a dense, robust, and stable network, offering insight into complex internal dynamics observed among medical and nursing students in Ecuador. © The Author(s) 2026

Instituciones: Universidad Continental