Abstract
This study aims to explore the impact of specific facets of impulsivity as measured by the UPPS Impulsive Behavior Scale (UPPS), as well as reasons for living in predicting suicidal ideation among African American college-aged students. The incremental validity of each facet of the UPPS interacting with reasons for living, a construct meant to buffer against risk for suicide, was explored in a sample of African American students (N = 130; ages 18–24). Results revealed significant interactions between reasons for living and two factors of impulsivity, (lack of) premeditation and sensation seeking. Higher levels of sensation seeking and lack of premeditation in conjunction with lower reasons for living was associated with increased suicidal ideation. Neither urgency nor (lack of) perseverance significantly interacted with reasons for living in association with suicidal ideation. These results suggest including elements of impulsivity, specifically sensation seeking and (lack of) premeditation, when screening for suicidal ideation among African American youth. Future investigations should continue to integrate factors of both risk and protection when determining risk for suicide.
Highlights
African Americans have traditionally had lower rates of suicide than other ethnic groups [1], suicide remains the third leading cause of death among African American youth [2,3].African Americans may not readily seek formal help for suicidal ideation [4] and may not readily disclose suicidal thoughts once help is sought [5]
Given that suicide remains a leading cause of death for African American youth [2], it is imperative that attention be devoted to understanding factors that contribute to the experience of suicidality using a framework that assesses both risk and protective factors
Given that the suicide ideation variable measured with the Modified Scale for Suicide Ideation (MSSI) displayed substantial positive skew and kurtosis, these scores were transformed using a natural log transformation
Summary
African Americans have traditionally had lower rates of suicide than other ethnic groups [1], suicide remains the third leading cause of death among African American youth [2,3].African Americans may not readily seek formal help for suicidal ideation [4] and may not readily disclose suicidal thoughts once help is sought [5]. African Americans have traditionally had lower rates of suicide than other ethnic groups [1], suicide remains the third leading cause of death among African American youth [2,3]. Given the limited report of suicidal ideation and help seeking among individuals in the African American community, it is not surprising that the prevailing knowledge on risk and protective factors for African Americans who experience suicidal ideation is scarce. Given that suicide remains a leading cause of death for African American youth [2], it is imperative that attention be devoted to understanding factors that contribute to the experience of suicidality using a framework that assesses both risk and protective factors. We employ a risk-protection framework in the current study
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
