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Predictors of the Acquired Capability for Suicide among Childhood Trauma Survivors

Roley, Michelle E
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9269-418X
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1457628717

Abstract Details

2016, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Toledo, Psychology - Clinical.
Research has linked childhood trauma to suicide risk, where certain forms of trauma, greater severity, and repeated exposure increase risk for suicide; however, the mechanisms underlying these relationships have not been systematically explored. The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (IPT), which has three main components, including the better-researched thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness, and a less-well studied component known as the acquired capability for suicide, has improved the understanding of suicide risk. Factors related to childhood trauma (e.g., complexity and forms of trauma, disrupted attachment, emotional and behavioral dysregulation) have not been directly assessed using the IPT. This study aimed to identify the mechanisms of childhood trauma that lead to suicide risk via the acquired capability for suicide. One hundred and thirty-nine college students enrolled in Introductory Psychology courses who endorsed prior trauma exposure, indicated being between the ages of 18 and 22 years old, and whose first language is English were recruited from Sona Systems to participate in a two part online survey of questionnaires. Bootstrapping techniques revealed that disrupted attachment, dual emotionally and physically painful trauma exposure, and emotion dysregulation are associated with acquired capability for suicide. There was a trend toward significance of the role of interpersonal trauma exposure being associated with an acquired capability for suicide. Results found no support for the role of behavioral dysregulation, physically painful forms of trauma, or emotionally painful forms of trauma being associated with acquired capability for suicide. Additionally, partial support was found for the interpersonal theory of suicide, specifically the role of perceived burdensomeness and an acquired capability for suicide were important predictors of suicide ideation and past attempts, while thwarted belongingness was not found to be a predictor. Findings also support the role of non-suicidal self-injury on predicting suicide risk. The results have implications for the incorporation of screening for childhood trauma exposure and disrupted attachment in the assessment of suicide risk. Additionally, suicide prevention could target emotion dysregulation in order to reduce suicide risk.
Jon Elhai, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Joseph Hovey, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Adrienne Fricker-Elhai, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Jason Levine, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Andrew Geers, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
151 p.
Clinical Psychology
Acquired capability for suicide; suicide risk; childhood trauma exposure

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Roley, M. E. (2016). Predictors of the Acquired Capability for Suicide among Childhood Trauma Survivors [Doctoral dissertation, University of Toledo]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1457628717

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Roley, Michelle. Predictors of the Acquired Capability for Suicide among Childhood Trauma Survivors. 2016. University of Toledo, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1457628717.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Roley, Michelle. "Predictors of the Acquired Capability for Suicide among Childhood Trauma Survivors." Doctoral dissertation, University of Toledo, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1457628717

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

toledo1457628717
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© 2016, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Toledo and OhioLINK.
Release 3.2.12