Testing Suicide Ideation-to-Action Theory Differences Among Those With Nonsuicidal Self-Injury.

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Suicidology

Background:

• Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is linked to increased suicide risk.
• Understanding the transition from NSSI to suicidal ideation and attempts is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine if existing suicide ideation-to-action theories apply to individuals with recent NSSI.
• To identify factors differentiating NSSI only, NSSI with ideation, and NSSI with suicide attempt groups.

Main Methods:

• 362 university students reporting NSSI completed online questionnaires.
• Assessed NSSI, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, hopelessness, interpersonal, and acquired capability/volitional factors.
• Participants categorized into NSSI only, NSSI + Ideation, and NSSI + Suicide Attempt groups.

Main Results:

• Significant differences found in hopelessness and interpersonal factors between NSSI controls and both ideation/attempt groups.
• No significant differences in most volitional factors, except impulsivity, which differed between NSSI controls and the ideation group.
• The ideation and suicide attempt groups did not differ significantly on measured factors.

Conclusions:

• Suicide ideation-to-action theories may help understand suicidal ideation in NSSI individuals.
• These theories may lack specificity in predicting actual suicide attempts in this population.
• Hopelessness and interpersonal factors appear more relevant than volitional factors for NSSI-related suicidality.