Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

8-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.S.

Department

Psychology

Committee Chair

Jack Shelley-Tremblay, Ph.D.

Advisor(s)

Phillip N. Smith, Benjamin D. Hill

Abstract

The aim of this study was to replicate a factor analysis of the Painful and Provocative Events Scale (PPES), to test whether commonly used self-report measures associated with the Interpersonal Theory of (IPTS) would predict suicide attempt status and suicidal history, and to test whether physical pain sensitivity would differentiate suicide attempers, ideators, and those with no suicidal history (controls). Factor analysis of the PPES yielded a 5-factor solution consisting of Rare and Illegal Activities, Abuse Experience, Dangerous Sports, Medical Trauma, and Body Modification. Only Abuse Experience predicted suicide attempt status and overall suicidal history. Abuse Experience, the Psychache Scale, The Acquired Capability with Rehearsal for Suicide Scale (ACWRSS), both subscales of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire-15 (INQ-15), and the Dispositional and Practical Capability subscales of the E-SCS-3 significantly explained variance in suicide attempt status and suicidal history. Pain tolerance and pain persistence were significantly greater in attempters than in ideators and controls. The PPES significantly predicted pain tolerance and pain persistence. These results have clinical utility for the screening of suicide risk and provide empirical support for the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide.

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