The protective effect of self‐esteem on suicidal ideation among nursing home residents with limited social support in China: A cross‐sectional study

AIM: This cross‐sectional study aimed to assess the impact of limited social support and loneliness on suicidal ideation, under the influence of self‐esteem, an important inner resource for quality living. DESIGN: An observational cross‐sectional study conducted from September 2018–April 2019. METHODS: The participants comprised 538 nursing home residents selected by a stratified sampling method from all seven administrative districts in a capital city of eastern China. All the participants completed the survey that constituted the measurement of suicidal ideation, self‐esteem, social support and loneliness. Path analysis was performed using the structural equation modelling method. RESULTS: A moderating effect, with satisfactory model fit indices and significant path coefficients, was detected between self‐esteem and suicidal ideation through limited social support and loneliness, revealing the multiple protective mechanisms of this psychological characteristic on the change of suicidal ideation.