Emotion Reactivity Moderates the Association Between Momentary Negative Affect and Suicidal Thinking

Most theories suggest suicidal thinking results from negative affect, but surprisingly few studies have assessed factors that may modify the relationship between negative affect and suicidal intent. Emotion reactivity is an understudied element of affective experience that may affect this relationship.

This study examined ecological momentary assessment (EMA) data from two samples (n = 43 college students reporting suicidal ideation; n = 52 individuals with a history of suicide attempt recruited online) to investigate if trait emotion reactivity moderates the prediction of suicidal intent by negative affect. We hypothesized that increased trait emotion reactivity would strengthen the association between negative affect and next-timepoint suicidal intent.

As hypothesized, across both samples, results indicated the association between momentary negative affect and next-timepoint suicidal intent was stronger among those with greater trait emotion reactivity. Different facets of emotion reactivity appeared to drive these associations between studies (intensity in Study 1, and persistence and sensitivity in Study 2).

These findings highlight the importance of including emotion reactivity in models of suicide and suggests trait-level patterns of emotional responses are important to consider when modeling associations with momentary suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Between-sample inconsistencies regarding which facets drove this relationship may speak to differences in emotional processing, which could hold important treatment implications.