The Function of Personality in Suicidal Ideation from the Perspective of the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide

Abstract

The Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide (IPTS) has been increasingly studied over the last years, responding to the demand for a valid framework addressing suicidality. Yet, only a few studies have explored the function of personality in the IPTS and none with clinical patients. We aimed to contribute to fill this gap in investigating the relationship between personality as conceptualized by the Five-Factor Model, the IPTS constructs, and a dimensional measure of current suicidal ideation. We conducted correlation, multiple linear regression, and path analyses based on a trait-interpersonal framework in a sample of 201 individuals visiting the psychiatric emergency room of a general hospital with current suicidal ideation. Neuroticism (positively) and openness (negatively) predicted perceived burdensomeness, while neuroticism (positively) and extraversion (negatively) predicted thwarted belongingness. Higher conscientiousness and lower extraversion were both predictors of the acquired capability for suicide. However, none of the models involving path analyses with IPTS variables as mediators of the relationship between personality traits and suicidal ideation was adequately adjusted to the data. Thus, it appears that personality plays a significant albeit modest role in suicidality when considered from an IPTS perspective. As personality is frequently assessed in the clinical routine, health professionals should consider it as complementary to detect individuals at risk of or presenting suicidal ideation.

Demoralization and Its Relationship with Depression and Hopelessness in Suicidal Patients Attending an Emergency Department

“…Data on the attitudes and reactions of individuals following attempted suicide are limited. However, the initial recovery of aspects after an attempted suicide has been reported to be related to at least two demoralization subconstructs, namely hopelessness and the loss of meaning in life [57,58].…”

The Presence and the Search Constructs of Meaning in Life in Suicidal Patients Attending a Psychiatric Emergency Department

“…P a r t i c i p a n t s a n s w e r e d i n q u i r i e s r e g a r d i n g t h e i r sociodemographic situations as well as a series of questionnaires, some administered by the psychiatrist in charge of the study inclusion and some self-reported. Other aspects of this global project on suicide, not relevant to the present study, have resulted in five publications (28)(29)(30)(31)(32). This study was approved by the local Research Ethics Committee under the registration number 14-168.…”

Interpersonal Risk Factors for Suicide in Cocaine Dependence: Association with Self‐Esteem, Personality Traits, and Childhood Abuse

“…The interaction between PB and TB was significantly associated with suicidal ideation, whereas the interaction between PB, TB, and acquired capability for suicide was significantly associated with a greater number of prior suicide attempts (Chu et al, ). Nonetheless, while the IPTS may explain the transition from suicidal ideation to lethal suicide attempt, it does not explicitly account for factors that may influence the development of suicidality such as substance misuse, depression, self‐esteem, personality traits, and childhood abuse (Baertschi, Costanza, Canuto, & Weber, ; Roy, ; Silva, Ribeiro, & Joiner, ; Taylor, Dhingra, Dickson, & McDermott, ).…”