Original Article

Psychological Inflexibility Predicts Suicidality Over Time in College Students

Corresponding Author

Jennifer Krafft MS

[email protected]

orcid.org/0000-0002-0943-8477

Department of Psychology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA

Address correspondence to Jennifer Krafft, Utah State University, 2810 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322; E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author

E. Tish Hicks BA,

E. Tish Hicks BA

Department of Psychology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA

Search for more papers by this author

Sallie A. Mack BS,

Sallie A. Mack BS

Department of Psychology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA

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Michael E. Levin Phd,

Michael E. Levin Phd

Department of Psychology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA

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Jennifer Krafft MS,

Corresponding Author

Jennifer Krafft MS

[email protected]

orcid.org/0000-0002-0943-8477

Department of Psychology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA

Address correspondence to Jennifer Krafft, Utah State University, 2810 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322; E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author

E. Tish Hicks BA,

E. Tish Hicks BA

Department of Psychology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA

Search for more papers by this author

Sallie A. Mack BS,

Sallie A. Mack BS

Department of Psychology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA

Search for more papers by this author

Michael E. Levin Phd,

Michael E. Levin Phd

Department of Psychology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA

Search for more papers by this author

First published: 26 November 2018

https://doi.org/10.1111/sltb.12533

Citations: 23

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Abstract

Objective

It is essential to identify modifiable risk factors that can be targeted to reduce suicidal ideation (SI) and behavior in college students. Psychological inflexibility, a pattern of responding to internal experiences in a literal and rigid way, and attempting to control those experiences even when it interferes with valued living, could theoretically lead to SI or increase its intensity.

Method

Psychological inflexibility and its component processes were tested as a predictor of SI in a longitudinal survey of college students (n = 603, age M = 20.62, 68.9% female, and 94.0% White) in a series of cross-sectional and longitudinal hierarchical regression models, controlling for relevant predictors such as distress and baseline SI. Interactions were also tested between psychological inflexibility and distress, cognitive defusion, values obstruction, and values progress in predicting SI.

Results

Psychological inflexibility predicted SI cross-sectionally and longitudinally, controlling for distress and baseline SI. Psychological inflexibility interacted with distress, cognitive fusion, and values progress such that distress, cognitive fusion, and values progress had the strongest association with suicidal ideation among those who were high in psychological inflexibility.

Conclusions

Psychological inflexibility may be a useful mechanism to target for suicide prevention in college students.

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Volume49, Issue5

October 2019

Pages 1488-1496

Psychological Inflexibility Predicts Suicidality Over Time in College Students

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Psychological Inflexibility Predicts Suicidality Over Time in College Students

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