Emotion Dysregulation as a Prospective Predictor of Suicidal Ideation in an at-Risk Mixed Clinical Sample

Abstract

The current study tested whether emotion dysregulation predicts suicidal ideation over the course of 6 months. Community members (N = 298) with elevated suicide risk completed a clinical interview and self-report questionnaires at baseline and month-6 follow-up appointments. Elevated general emotion dysregulation but not subscales significantly predicted increases in suicidal ideation at month-6 follow-up after accounting for initial suicidal ideation, treatment condition, and negative affectivity. Furthermore, general emotion dysregulation as well as lack of awareness and lack of clarity subscales were significantly associated with prior suicide attempts at baseline after accounting for negative affectivity. Findings support the establishment of emotion dysregulation as a risk factor for suicidal ideation and provide evidence for a role in suicide attempts. Findings call for the development of interventions targeting emotion dysregulation in effectively predicting and preventing suicidality.

Keywords:

• difficulties in emotion regulation
• emotion dysregulation
• suicidal ideation
• suicide
• suicide prevention

Additional information

Funding

This work was in part supported by the Military Suicide Research Consortium (MSRC; W81XWH-10-2-0181), Department of Defense, and VISN 19 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), but does not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, or the United States Government. Support from the MSRC does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship, or favoring of the study design, analysis, or recommendations.

Notes on contributors

Alexa M. Raudales

Alexa M. Raudales, Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.

Nicole A. Short

Nicole A. Short, Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.

Norman B. Schmidt

Norman B. Schmidt, Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.