Publication Date

Fall 2015

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Stephen O’Connor (Director), Amy Brausch, and Aaron Wichman

Degree Program

Department of Psychology

Degree Type

Master of Arts

Abstract

Suicide and non-suicidal self-injury are concerning and prevalent phenomena in the United States; as a result, much research has been undertaken in order to investigate these topics (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015a). Although the exploration of risk factors is a common approach, other novel approaches have been developed in order to better understand self-directed violence (Klonsky & May, 2013). One of these is a focus on functions served by these behaviors, which is theorized to contribute to grasping their etiologies and help provide effective treatment (Glenn & Klonsky, 2011). Another approach is investigating implicit cognition and selfassociations’ influences on the development of self-directed violence (Glashouwer et al, 2010). The current study expanded on previous research by using these two novel approaches simultaneously, and measuring the association between the functional aspects of self-directed violence and the Suicide Implicit Association Test. Participants for this study included 32 adolescent inpatients hospitalized at River Valley Behavioral Health Hospital. The Suicide Implicit Association Test served as the independent variable in this study. The following measures served as dependent variables: the Inventory of Statements About Self-Injury, the Self-Harm Behavior Questionnaire, and the Suicide Attempt Self-Injury Interview.

Regression analyses revealed non-significant associations for both intrapersonal (β=1.44, S.E.=.91, p=.13) and interpersonal (β=.004, S.E.=.5, p=.99) functions. Poisson regression analyses revealed non-significant associations for both intrapersonal (β=.01, S.E.=.21, p=.97, CI:-.41, .42) and interpersonal (β=.60, S.E.=.51, p=.24, 95% CI:-.40, 1.60) functions. A logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between Suicide Implicit Association Test scores and number of previous suicide attempts, and this revealed a high odds ratio [OR =4.56, 95% CI: .36, 57.76]. Poisson regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between Suicide Implicit Association Test scores and the frequency of previous non-suicidal self-injury, and this revealed a significant positive association (β=.99, S.E.=.07, p=.00, 95% CI:.86, 1.13). Poisson regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between Suicide Implicit Association Test scores and the severity of previous suicidal ideation, and this revealed a significant positive association (β=1.09, S.E.=.23, p=.00, 95% CI: .65, 1.54).

Disciplines

Counseling Psychology | Experimental Analysis of Behavior | Psychology

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