This study examines whether abusive supervision is related to suicide ideation and whether the need for autonomy, competence, and relatedness mediates this relationship. We use a diverse sample (N = 687) from six Chinese organizations. Abusive supervision was significantly related to suicidal ideation and satisfaction of the needs for competence and relatedness, but not for autonomy, partially mediated this relationship. Findings suggest that organizations that initiate intervention strategies to limit the adverse consequences of abusive supervision thereby help protect subordinates from suicidal ideation.
Keywords: Abusive supervision; basic psychological need satisfaction; suicidal ideation; suicide.