Behaviorally-indexed distress tolerance and suicidality

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Distress tolerance has a complex relationship with suicidal behavior risk factors.
• Previous research shows mixed findings between self-reported and behavioral distress tolerance measures.
• Low distress tolerance is linked to perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness, while high distress tolerance is linked to acquired capability for suicide.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between behavioral distress tolerance and risk factors for suicidal behavior.
• To examine distress tolerance as a moderator in the relationship between painful/provocative experiences and the acquired capability for suicide.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a behavioral measure of distress tolerance.
• Assessed associations between distress tolerance and perceived burdensomeness/thwarted belongingness.
• Examined distress tolerance as a moderator of the link between painful/provocative experiences and acquired capability for suicide.

Main Results:

• No significant associations were found between distress tolerance and burdensomeness or belongingness.
• Distress tolerance was positively associated with the acquired capability for suicide.
• The interaction between distress tolerance and painful/provocative experiences significantly predicted the acquired capability, especially at higher distress tolerance levels.

Conclusions:

• Actual ability to tolerate distress is important for understanding suicidal desire, contrasting with perceived ability.
• Behavioral distress tolerance, particularly persistence, plays a crucial role in the acquired capability for suicide.
• Findings underscore the importance of differentiating between perceived and actual distress tolerance in suicide risk assessment.