Towards an Integrated Motivational–Volitional Model of Suicidal Behaviour

Abstract

The aetiology of suicide is complex, encompassing a multifaceted array of risk and protective factors. Although a comprehensive understanding of suicidality requires an appreciation of biological, psychological, and social perspectives, the focus in this chapter is primarily on the psychological determinants of suicidal behaviour. Herein I explore the research literature with a view to identifying those psychological factors that increase the likelihood that someone chooses death rather than life. However, as these psychological factors do not operate in isolation, they are presented as components within a new model, the Integrated Motivational-Volitional (IMV) Model of Suicidal Behaviour. This tri partite model maps the relationship between background factors and trigger events, and the development of suicidal ideation/intent through to suicidal behaviour. Before proceeding to the IMV model, I set the scene by outlining a number of the predominant models of suicide. This is followed by a description of the IMV model and a discussion of how theoretical constructs from other models fit within the IMV model. The chapter ends with a brief discussion of potential next steps in the development, refinement, and testing of the model. International Handbook of Suicide Prevention

Why Do Adolescents Self-Harm?

“…Such a hypothesis is consistent with recent theoretical developments which highlight the role of feelings of defeat and entrapment (i.e. internal pain) in self-harm and suicidal behaviour (e.g., O'Connor, 2011;Williams, 2014). Second, given the ambiguous findings on gender differences, we also wished to examine whether boys and girls differed in the motives they reported following self-harm.…”

A structural test of the Integrated Motivational-Volitional model of suicidal behaviour

“…This may be particularly true for those individuals who struggle with re-engaging with new goals (O'Connor, O'Carroll, Ryan, & Smyth, 2012), although the interaction between goal disengagement and reengagement was not tested in the present study. Cognitive and behavioural strategies designed to reduce the desire for suicide (Joiner, Van Orden, Witte, & Rudd, 2009;O'Connor, 2011) despite increased acquired capability (e.g., fearlessness about death) and exposure to the attempted suicide or self-injury of family members and close friends also warrant further consideration.…”

“…The Integrated Motivational-Volitional (Figure 1) Model of suicidal behaviour (O'Connor, 2011) attempts to address this very issue. Integrating predominant factors from existing theoretical models, the Integrated Motivational-Volitional model conceptualises suicide as a behaviour (rather than a by-product of mental disorders) that develops through motivational and volitional phases.…”

The role of physical and mental health multimorbidity in suicidal ideation

“…Given the elevated risk of suicidal ideation among physical/mental multimorbid participants in our study, future research is required to investigate the transition from suicidal ideation to suicide attempts (Nock et al, 2008;O'Connor, 2011). Moreover, no research has focused on providing a detailed understanding of the factors associated with the selection of suicide attempt methods among this vulnerable population.…”

“…A significant body of work has focused on describing high-risk populations, such as clinical populations with mental illness and general populations whose members experience social stressors and adverse life events (Cavanagh et al, 1999;Fässberg et al, 2012;Foster, 2011;Gonda et al, 2012;Stack, 2014). A range of sociodemographic, psychological and clinical risk factors have also been identified (Hawton et al, 2003b;Mościcki, 1997;O'Connor, 2011;O'Connor and Nock, 2014;WHO, 2014). More recently, attention has focused on somatic illness and associated morbidities such as chronic pain as potential suicide risk factors (Braden et al, 2008;Pompili et al, 2014;Ratcliffe et al, 2008;Robson, 2010;Stenager et al, 1994;Tang et al, 2006;Qin et al, 2013).…”