Impulsivity, aggression, and impulsive aggression in suicidality

Background: Impulsivity and aggression are individual differences that receive considerable attention as psychological targets in suicide prevention. Their proposed roles in predicting suicidality, however, are conflicting and they may act together under the broader psychopathology of ‘impulsive aggression’. Aim: To investigate the nature of associations between impulsivity, aggression, and impulsive aggression, and suicidal ideation and behavior. Method: Impulsivity, aggression, impulsive aggression, and suicidal ideation and behavior, were assessed in 624 participants (aged 16 years and over) via an online survey. Participants were categorized as those with (1) no history of suicidal ideation or suicide attempts, (2) a history of suicidal ideation but not of suicide attempts, and (3) a history of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Results: Two pathways were associated with suicidality. First, all three constructs were associated with increased suicidality overall. Second, they were each associated with an increased likelihood to have a history of both suicidal ideation and action. Limitations: We assessed psychological traits and further work is required to determine whether state-based measures yield consistent results. Conclusion: Impulsivity, aggression, and impulsive aggression are each associated with increased suicidality overall and with the likelihood of having a history of both suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. The results will contribute to the development of suicide risk formulation and prevention by demonstrating how key psychological constructs contribute to the development of suicidality