Publication Date

Summer 2015

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Amy Brausch (Director), Qin Zhao, and Stephen O’Connor

Degree Program

Department of Psychology

Degree Type

Master of Arts

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the role of distress tolerance in suicidality among Black college students. It was hypothesized that (1) individuals with low levels of distress tolerance would report higher levels of suicide ideation; (2) individuals with high levels of distress tolerance would report greater suicide attempts; (3) social support would moderate the relationship between distress tolerance and suicide ideation; (4) social support would moderate the relationship between distress tolerance and suicide attempts; and that (5) family and peer support would act as distinct buffers against suicidality. These hypotheses were tested by surveying 47 undergraduate university students (female = 49%; mean age = 22.45). Participants completed packets with self-report measures that included: the Self-Harm Behavior Questionnaire, the Distress Tolerance Scale, the Child and Adolescent Social Support, and demographics. Results suggested that individuals with low levels of distress tolerance showed greater history of self-harm behavior when compared to individuals with high levels of distress tolerance. Results indicated that social support moderated the relationship between distress tolerance level and history of self-harm behaviors. Results also indicated that family support acted as significant protective factor against suicidality.

Disciplines

Child Psychology | Clinical Psychology | Community Psychology | Psychology

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