Domains of the autism phenotype, cognitive control, and rumination as transdiagnostic predictors of DSM-5 suicide risk

Suicide is a global health problem affecting both normative and clinical populations. Theoretical models that examine mechanisms underlying suicide risk across heterogeneous samples are needed. The present study explored core characteristics associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a sub-population at high risk of suicide, as well as two dimensional cognitive constructs, as potential transdiagnostic predictors of suicidal ideation in a clinically diverse sample. Participants (n = 1851, 62% female) aged 18 to 89 years completed online questionnaires assessing: social communication difficulties; insistence on sameness; cognitive control; and rumination. Forty-three percent of participants reported the presence of at least one neurodevelopmental or neuropsychiatric disorder. One third of the sample reported some suicidal ideation (SI), and 40 percent met the threshold for concern for depression. All hypothesized constructs were associated with SI and depression and, with the exception of rumination, contributed significantly to SI. Participants reporting SI returned significantly higher social communication difficulties and insistence on sameness, and lower levels of cognitive control than those reporting no-SI. The study was limited by the use of a cross-sectional sample assessed with self-report measures. All diagnoses were self-reported and the study was additionally limited by the use of a single item indicator of suicidal ideation. These findings support a role for constructs associated with the ASD phenotype and associated broad cognitive domains as potential risk factors underlying suicidal ideation in a large clinically diverse sample. Our findings suggest directions for future longitudinal research studies, along with specific targets for suicide prevention and clinical practice.

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Self-Disgust and Its Relationship With Lifetime Suicidal Ideation and Behavior

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000645 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (5) ◽

pp. 344-350 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Anne Schienle ◽

Daniela Schwab ◽

Carina Höfler ◽

Harald H. Freudenthaler

Keyword(s):

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Suicide Risk ◽

Coping Styles ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Self Report ◽

Hierarchical Regression ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mediation Analyses ◽

Disgust Proneness ◽

And Behavior

Abstract. Background: The emotion disgust is typically directed toward stimuli in the external environment, but sometimes people develop self-directed disgust responses. Aims: The current questionnaire study focused on the role of self-disgust in lifetime suicidal ideation and behavior. Method: A total of 1,167 individuals participated in an Internet-based survey containing self-report measures of self-disgust, externally directed disgust proneness, coping styles, diagnoses of mental disorders, and suicide risk. Hierarchical regression analyses as well as mediation analyses were computed. Results: Self-disgust was the most relevant predictor of suicide risk among the assessed variables. Self-disgust was negatively associated with the use of support by others, and positively associated with evasive coping (self-blame, venting, denial), which in turn was positively associated with suicidality. Limitations: This cross-sectional study provided information on the relationship between self-disgust and suicidality in a self-selected sample. Longitudinal studies are warranted. Conclusion: Future studies are required to replicate these findings. Additionally, stronger research designs are needed in order to investigate whether self-disgust should be targeted in suicide prevention programs and interventions.

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Suicidal Ideation, Planning, and Attempts Among Synthetic Cannabinoid Users Across Different Demographic Subgroups

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000802 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

John Stogner ◽

Courtney Patterson

Keyword(s):

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Suicide Risk ◽

Synthetic Cannabinoid ◽

Self Report ◽

Suicidal Thoughts ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Psychoactive Effects ◽

And Bisexual ◽

Demographic Subgroups

Abstract. Background: Case studies have linked synthetic cannabinoid (SC) use to suicide risk both during and following acute psychoactive effects. No study has explored whether a meaningful relationship exists between SC use and suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts within a generalizable sample. Aims: This work attempted to determine whether SC use is significantly associated with suicidal thoughts, planning, or attempts and whether the association between SC use and suicide may be stronger in certain demographic groups. Method: Cross-sectional self-report data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System were utilized. Logistic regression models were explored within a sample of 29,384 adolescents. Results: A clear connection emerged between SC use and suicidal thoughts and attempts. SC use and suicide risk were strongly related within the lesbian, gay, and bisexual and African Americans populations, even after controlling for depressive symptoms. Limitations: The study was cross-sectional and respondents may have underreported substance use or suicidal thoughts. Conclusion: Whether SC use has an impact on suicidal ideation directly, indirectly, or if it is simply a co-occurring phenomenon, it may serve as a flag of enhanced risk. Physicians must remain cognizant of the SC–suicide risk connection, particularly among African American and/or lesbian, gay, or bisexual patients.

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Trauma-Related Shame, Sexual Assault Severity, Thwarted Belongingness, and Perceived Burdensomeness Among Female Undergraduate Survivors of Sexual Assault

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000549 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (2) ◽

pp. 134-140 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Christopher R. DeCou ◽

Stephanie P. Kaplan ◽

Julie Spencer ◽

Shannon M. Lynch

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Sexual Assault ◽

Self Report ◽

Psychosocial Risk ◽

Thwarted Belongingness ◽

Female Undergraduate ◽

Perceived Burdensomeness ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

And Behavior

Abstract. Background and Aim: This study evaluated trauma-related shame as a mediator of the association between sexual assault severity and perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness. Method: A total of 164 female undergraduates who reported attempted or completed sexual assault completed self-report measures of sexual assault, trauma-related shame, perceived burdensomeness, and thwarted belongingness. Results: Using path analysis, trauma-related shame mediated the association between sexual assault severity and perceived burdensomeness, and between sexual assault severity and thwarted belongingness. Limitations: The findings of this study are limited by the retrospective, self-report, and cross-sectional nature of these data, and do not allow for causal inference. Conclusion: Trauma-related shame warrants additional investigation as a mechanism that explains the association between sexual assault and psychosocial risk factors for suicidal ideation and behavior.

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Suicidal Ideation Profiles in Patients with Fibromyalgia Using Transdiagnostic Psychological and Fibromyalgia-Associated Variables

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18010209 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 209

Author(s):

Jorge L. Ordóñez-Carrasco ◽

María Sánchez-Castelló ◽

Elena P. Calandre ◽

Isabel Cuadrado-Guirado ◽

Antonio J. Rojas-Tejada

Keyword(s):

Suicidal Ideation ◽

High Risk ◽

Suicide Risk ◽

Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Psychological Pain ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Psychological Variables ◽

Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire ◽

High Degree

Several studies have emphasized the heterogeneity of fibromyalgia patients. Furthermore, fibromyalgia patients are considered a high-risk suicide group. The ideation-to-action framework proposes a set of transdiagnostic psychological factors involved in the development of suicidal ideation. The present study aims to explore the existence of different subgroups according to their vulnerability to suicidal ideation through these transdiagnostic psychological variables and a set of variables typically associated with fibromyalgia. In this cross-sectional study, 151 fibromyalgia patients were assessed through the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Plutchik Suicide Risk Scale, Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire, Defeat Scale, Entrapment Scale, Psychache Scale, and Beck Hopelessness Scale. A K-means cluster analysis identified two clusters, one (45.70%) according to a low vulnerability, and a second (54.30%) with a high vulnerability to suicidal ideation. These clusters showed statistically significant differences in suicidal ideation and suicide risk. However, no differences were observed in most socio-demographic variables. In conclusion, fibromyalgia patients who present a clinical condition characterized by a moderate-high degree of physical dysfunction, overall disease impact and intensity of fibromyalgia-associated symptoms, along with a high degree of perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, defeat, entrapment, psychological pain and hopelessness, form a homogeneous group at high risk for suicidal ideation.

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A role-play assessment tool and drama-based social skills intervention for adults with autism or related social communication difficulties

Dramatherapy ◽

10.1177/0263067219834712 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

pp. 41-60

Author(s):

Céliane Trudel ◽

Aparna Nadig

Keyword(s):

Social Skills ◽

Social Communication ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Role Play ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Social Skills Intervention ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Adults With Autism ◽

Play Assessment ◽

Communication Difficulties

This study adds to a small literature on social skills measures and interventions for adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or related social communication difficulties (SCD) without intellectual disability (ID). In study 1, a new multimodal assessment tool, the role-play assessment of social skills (R-PASS), was used to measure real-time application of social skills. The scores of adults with ASD/SCD were marginally lower than those of neurotypical adults, with a large effect size, suggesting that the measure can identify differences between the two groups. Therefore, the R-PASS shows potential as an objective tool to assess dynamic and naturalistic social skills. In Study 2, a pre–post single-group design study, we measured the effectiveness of a drama-based social skills intervention for seven participants who self-identified as having ASD/SCD. The R-PASS was used by external raters blind to diagnosis and intervention status to compare the performance of intervention participants to that of neurotypical adults. R-PASS scores suggested substantial improvement of social skills in the majority of participants post-intervention. Furthermore, relatives’ and participants’ perception of their social communication and self-regulation skills improved from pre- to post-intervention. These results suggest that the intervention may have helped the participants improve their social skills.

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Examining the link between prior suicidality and subsequent suicidal ideation among high-risk US military service members

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291718003124 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 49 (13) ◽

pp. 2237-2246 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Melanie A. Hom ◽

Mary E. Duffy ◽

Megan L. Rogers ◽

Jetta E. Hanson ◽

Peter M. Gutierrez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Military Service ◽

Suicide Risk ◽

Self Report ◽

Service Members ◽

Thwarted Belongingness ◽

Us Military ◽

Military Service Members ◽

The Relationship

AbstractBackgroundResearch is needed to identify the factors that explain the link between prior and future suicidality. This study evaluated possible mediators of the relationship between: (1) the severity of prior suicidality and (2) suicidal ideation severity at 3-month follow-up among a sample of high-risk military personnel.MethodsUS military service members referred to or seeking care for suicide risk (N = 624) completed self-report psychiatric domain measures and a clinician interview assessing prior suicidality severity at baseline. Three months later, participants completed a self-report measure of suicidal ideation severity. Three separate percentile bootstrap mediation models were used to examine psychiatric factors (i.e. alcohol abuse, anxiety sensitivity, hopelessness, insomnia, posttraumatic stress symptoms, suicidal ideation, and thwarted belongingness) as parallel mediators of the relationship between prior suicidality severity (specifically, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and overall suicidality – i.e. ideation/attempt severity combined) at baseline and suicidal ideation severity at follow-up.ResultsHopelessness, specifically, and the total effect of all mediators, each significantly accounted for the relationship between prior suicidality severity and subsequent ideation severity across models. In the models with attempt severity and overall suicidality severity as predictors, thwarted belongingness was also a significant mediator.ConclusionsHopelessness, thwarted belongingness, and overall severity of psychiatric indices may explain the relationship between prior suicidality severity and future suicidal ideation severity among service members at elevated suicide risk. Research is needed to replicate these findings and examine other possible mediators.

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Outcomes of an emotion regulation intervention group in young adults with autism spectrum disorder

Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic ◽

10.1521/bumc.2019.83.3.259 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 83 (3) ◽

pp. 259-277 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Kathrin Hartmann ◽

Maria R. Urbano ◽

C. Teal Raffaele ◽

Nicole L. Kreiser ◽

Takeshia V. Williams ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Emotion Regulation ◽

Social Communication ◽

Group Treatment ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Self Report ◽

Social Responsiveness ◽

Exploratory Research ◽

The Social

Individuals on the autism spectrum experience difficulties in social relationships and emotion regulation. The aim of the present exploratory research study was to develop and explore the effectiveness of a manualized emotion regulation group intervention for autistic adults to improve emotion regulation and social communication. The group participants included seven young adults (age > 18 years) on the autism spectrum. Primary outcome measures were the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-2) and the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ). Group participants reported significant improvements on the Social Communication and Interaction subscale (SCI; t = 2.601, p = .041), the Social Awareness (AWR; t = 3.163, p = .019), and the Social Cognition (COG; t = 4.861, p = .003) subscales of the SRS-2: Self Report. Overall, this study provides preliminary evidence of the effectiveness of a group treatment approach that focuses on emotion regulation to improve social interactions for young adults on the autism spectrum.

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The relationship between burnout and suicidal ideations among Jamaican police officers

International Journal of Police Science & Management ◽

10.1177/1461355719856026 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

pp. 181-189 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Candice A. Wray ◽

Sharlene Beckford Jarrett

Keyword(s):

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Emotional Exhaustion ◽

Police Officers ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Personal Accomplishment ◽

Self Report ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

High Crime ◽

The Relationship

Jamaican police officers often encounter organizational and societal stressors through their work in high-crime and low-resource settings. Repeated exposure to stressors, with limited opportunities for support, can compromise emotional well-being and increase the risk of experiencing burnout and suicidal ideation. This cross-sectional study examines the relationship between burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment) and suicidal ideations among Jamaican police officers surveyed in 2017. Jamaican police officers ( N = 305) from five major urban divisions completed two self-report questionnaires. The results revealed significant relationships between emotional exhaustion and suicidal ideations ( r = .17, p < .01) and depersonalization and suicidal ideations ( r = .18, p < .01). However, there was no significant relationship between personal accomplishment and suicidal ideations ( p > .01). Implementing programmes that offer access to adaptive coping or stress management skills and social support systems may reduce burnout and decrease risk for suicidal ideation.

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Dangers of workplace bullying: evidence from the Caribbean

Journal of Aggression Conflict and Peace Research ◽

10.1108/jacpr-05-2016-0228 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 69-80 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Dwayne Devonish

Keyword(s):

Workplace Bullying ◽

Longitudinal Research ◽

Self Report ◽

Caribbean Region ◽

Three Dimensional Model ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Content Type ◽

Work Related ◽

The Caribbean ◽

Job Strains

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine whether person-related bullying, work-related bullying, and physically intimidating bullying predict three forms of job strain: physical exhaustion, work-related depression, and interpersonal counterproductive work behaviour (CWB-P). Design/methodology/approach The study surveyed a wide cross-section of employees across a number of private sector organisations in a small developing country in the Caribbean region. Findings The prevalence rate of workplace bullying in the current Caribbean sample was 54 per cent. The regression results revealed that person-related bullying and work-related were positively related to work-related depression, whereas physically intimidating bullying and work-related bullying were positively related to CWB-P. None of the three forms of bullying predicted physical exhaustion. When the overall workplace bullying composite was used, all three job strains were significantly predicted. Research limitations/implications The study utilised a cross-sectional self-report survey research design which does not permit causal inferences to be made. Common method variance is a possible limitation due to the use of self-report measure but this was ruled out by a Harman’s single factor test. Longitudinal research using a mixture of subjective and objective measures is needed to further investigate these relationships reported here. Practical implications First, social and interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence training and development opportunities should be provided to both managers and employees as a means of developing individuals who are socially aware, interpersonally competent, and emotionally intelligent in their interactions with each other at work. Second, a zero-tolerance approach should be communicated throughout the organisation evidenced by clear and explicit organisational policies against these acts. Third, it would be of good practical value to establish health and safety committees to identify, assess and tackle various psychosocial and other hazards at work (e.g. workplace bullying). Originality/value The study utilised a three-dimensional model of bullying at work (as well as a composite form of bullying) for predicting three forms of job strains among employees in various Caribbean workplaces.

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