The Frequency and Subjective Impact of Painful and Provocative Events on the Acquired Capability for Suicide

Abstract

Background

Leading theoretical explanations for suicide state that for suicide death to occur, a person must have sufficient capability to enact an attempt. Exposure to painful and provocative events is hypothesized to play an important role in acquiring the capability for suicide over a lifetime. Unfortunately, assessment tools for painful and provocative events have focused solely on the frequency of events, neglecting the potential contributions of perceived impact. Further, past measurements have used predetermined items for painful and provocative events thereby neglecting other relevant events. The current study uses visual analog scales (VAS) to assess both the frequency and impact of painful and provocative events and how these contribute to the capability for suicide.

Method

Data were collected from 787 adults via Amazon’s online platform.

Results

Findings indicated that the frequency VAS and impact VAS both had a moderate correlation with the original Painful and Provocative Events Scale. Greater scores on the frequency VAS were associated with increased capability, whereas lower scores on the subjective impact VAS were associated with increased capability scores. Both VAS independently predicted capability above and beyond the PPES.

Limitations

Temporal or causal associations are unable to be drawn due to cross-sectional data. In addition, the sample was largely homogenous (White = 72%, female = 63.5%), limiting generalizability.

Conclusions

These initial findings demonstrate individuals who perceive painful and provocative events as being less impactful may have increased capability, and that VAS may be appropriate to approximate the impact and frequency of painful and provocative events.

Keywords:

• Capability for suicide
• painful and provocative events
• Visual Analogue Scale

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Brian W. Bauer

Brian W. Bauer (M.S.) Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA.

Anna R. Gai

Anna R. Gai (M.S.) Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA.

Thomas E. Joiner

Thomas E. Joiner (Ph.D.), Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA.

Daniel W. Capron

Daniel W. Capron (Ph.D.), Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA.