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Suicide and Self-Injury

Problem-solving deficits moderates the association between baseline suicide ideation severity and the presence of suicide ideation in the following month

(PS13-18) Problem-solving Deficits Moderates the Association Between Baseline Suicide Ideation Severity and the Presence of Suicide Ideation in the Following Month

Sunday, November 17, 2024
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM EST
Location: Franklin Hall, Level 4, Marriott Downtown
Abstract Text: Previous experiences of suicidal ideation predict future suicidal ideation. However, not everyone who has experienced suicidal ideation will experience ideation again. Though lacking empirical support, theory suggests that those at greatest risk for recurrent suicidal ideation are those with greater (versus less) problem-solving deficits. Thus, we propose to examine problem-solving as a moderator between baseline suicidal ideation and presence of suicidal ideation during the following 28 day period. The sample consisted of 49, diverse young adults (Mage = 19.73, SD = 1.63, range = 18-24 years; 71.0% female, 55.0% non-White; 47.0% sexual minority) recruited from a university located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. between Fall 2021 and Spring 2022. Participants completed baseline measures during a laboratory visit and then completed an ecological momentary assessment protocol (i.e., up to 6 assessments per day for 28 days on their smartphone). Suicidal ideation severity at baseline was assessed using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). Modified versions of C-SSRS items were used to assess for presence of suicidal ideation during the ecological momentary assessment protocol. Problem-solving deficits were assessed using the Means End Problem Solving procedure. A single binary logistic regression conducted using the SPSS PROCESS macro was used to examine relations between study variables. After controlling for age, sex, sexual orientation, depression symptom severity, and recruitment strategy, problem-solving deficits moderated the relation between past month suicidal ideation severity at baseline and presence of suicidal ideation during the next 28 days (b = 1.61, p = .046). Specifically, participants who demonstrated greater (versus less) problem solving deficits were more likely to experience suicidal ideation in the 28-day period following baseline. Sensitivity analyses that included self-reported problem solving deficits demonstrated a similar pattern of results. Results highlight the importance of objective assessment of problem-solving deficits among young adults at risk for suicide.