Capable of Suicide: A Functional Model of the Acquired Capability Component of the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide

Smith, Phillip N.; Cukrowicz, Kelly C.

doi:10.1521/suli.2010.40.3.266

Cited by 133 publications

(132 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…These results suggest that both genetic (diathesis) and environmental (stress) factors are responsible for individual variation in suicide capability. A stress-diathesis model of capability for suicide has also been proposed, which suggests that individuals presenting with a greater number of specific diatheses are more vulnerable to high levels of suicide capability (Smith and Cukrowicz, 2010). Consequently, these individuals engage in fewer severe diathesis-expressing events (e.g., suicide attempts) prior to a lethal or near-lethal attempt and are at increased suicide risk.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of stressful life events preceding death by suicide: Evidence from two samples of suicide decedents

Buchman‐Schmitt

Chu

Michaels

et al. 2017

Psychiatry Research

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Stressful life events (SLEs) are associated with increased risk for suicidal behavior. Less is known regarding the intensity of SLEs and how this may vary as a function of suicide attempt history. As a large percentage of suicide decedents do not have a history of suicidal behavior, SLEs precipitating suicide may help characterize suicidality in this understudied population. This paper examines the intensity, number, and accumulation of SLEs preceding death by suicide among decedents with varying suicide attempt histories. Suicide attempts, SLEs, and suicide methods were examined in two samples: 62 prison-based and 117 community-based suicide decedents. Regression was used to compare the level of stressor precipitating death by suicide in decedents who died on a first attempt versus multiple previous attempts. A non-significant trend was observed in the prison population which was supported by significant findings in the community-based sample. Decedents who died on a first attempt experienced a stressor of a lower magnitude when compared to decedents with multiple previous suicide attempts. We discuss the implications of these findings in relation to the stress-diathesis model for suicide.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of stressful life events preceding death by suicide: Evidence from two samples of suicide decedents

Buchman‐Schmitt

Chu

Michaels

et al. 2017

Psychiatry Research

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“…However, the pain tolerance content of the ACSS factor identified was comprised of one item. It remains questionable, therefore, as to whether fearlessness and pain tolerance are part of a unitary construct of acquired capability or whether they are related, but distinct, as has been suggested (Smith & Cukrowicz, 2010b). Secondly, these results suggest that there is a difference between general fearlessness and fearlessness of death, specifically.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The acquired capability for suicide , is described as the reduction of the fear of death and increase in the tolerance for physical pain (Smith & Cukrowicz, 2010a; Van Orden et al, 2010). According to the interpersonal theory, an individual who desires suicide will not go on to make a serious or lethal suicide attempt in the absence of this fearlessness and pain tolerance.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to the interpersonal theory, an individual who desires suicide will not go on to make a serious or lethal suicide attempt in the absence of this fearlessness and pain tolerance. This acquired capability for suicide presumably emerges following repeated exposure to physically painful and psychologically provocative life events via habituation and opponent processes (Smith & Cukrowicz, 2010b; Solomon, 1980; Van Orden et al, 2010). The majority of the data supporting the role of acquired capability in the etiology of suicidal behaviors has been indirect.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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An exploratory factor analysis of the Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale in male prison inmates.

Smith¹,

Wolford‐Clevenger²,

Mandracchia³

et al. 2013

Psychological Services

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Prison inmates are exposed to a number of adverse conditions prior to and during incarceration that place them at risk for suicide. The interpersonal theory of suicide may prove useful in better understanding suicide in prisons, allowing for more effective prevention and treatment programs. However, no studies of the interpersonal theory have been conducted in prison populations. Further, there have been no studies examining the factor structure of the assessment of one of the theory’s main constructs: the acquired capability for suicide. The current study examined the factor structure of the Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale in a sample of male prison inmates. We found that a four-factor model provided the best statistical and conceptual fit; though, only three of these factors were meaningful with an additional method-factor. The three resulting factors were each associated with previous exposure to painful and provocative events, but none differentiated suicide attempter status. Results suggest that the interpersonal theory has promise in application to suicide in prison populations, but more work is needed to develop a self-report measure of acquired capability, particularly as it relates to prisoners.

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“…Joiner posits that prolonged exposure to painful (physical and emotional) and provocative events over time can habituate an individual to the necessary levels of pain tolerance and fearlessness to initiate and complete a lethal suicide attempt. Painful behaviors directly affiliated to suicide, such as self-injury and previous suicide attempts, are the most efficient means of cultivating an acquired capability; however, indirect risky behaviors (e.g., violence, sensation seeking) that occur with greater frequency are also important in the development of an acquired capability (Smith & Cukrowicz, 2010). For instance, substance use, often a same day correlate of suicide, may facilitate the necessary fearlessness to attempt to end one's life.…”

Section: Integrative Theory Of Suicide Riskmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cross-Cultural and Cognitive-Affective Models of Suicide Risk

Klibert

Barefoot

Langhinrichsen‐Rohling

et al. 2014

Journal of Black Psychology

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Only a handful of empirical investigations have identified culturally salient markers of suicide risk within samples of African American young adults. To address this gap, our study examined the intercorrelations among cultural congruity, defectiveness schemas, and multiple indices of suicide risk for African American (n = 207) and European American (n = 208) students attending a primary White institution. Cultural congruity was negatively associated with reports of interpersonal and behavioral suicide risk for both African and European American students. However, ethnic differences in the magnitude of these relationships emerged. Specifically, as predicted, for African Americans, lower levels of cultural congruity were more strongly related to greater interpersonal factors associated with a desire to die. Finally, the relationships between cultural congruity and multiple indices of suicide risk were partially mediated by defectiveness schemas for both African and European American students, suggesting a useful intervention target for students. These results also have implications for suicide screening, prevention, and intervention strategies directed toward African American students.

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Capable of Suicide: A Functional Model of the Acquired Capability Component of the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide

Cited by 133 publications

References 37 publications

The role of stressful life events preceding death by suicide: Evidence from two samples of suicide decedents

The role of stressful life events preceding death by suicide: Evidence from two samples of suicide decedents

An exploratory factor analysis of the Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale in male prison inmates.

Cross-Cultural and Cognitive-Affective Models of Suicide Risk

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