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ABC's of Suicidology: The Role of Affect in Suicidal Behaviors and Cognitions

Yamokoski, Cynthia A.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1153425387

Abstract Details

2006, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, Counseling Psychology.
The study of affect and cognition has been important in understanding suicide; however, the research and literature historically have placed more emphasis upon cognitive factors. Clearly, cognitive processes play a significant role in suicidal thoughts and behaviors, but it is also important to increase the focus on affect. There is support for the role of affect and the fact that cognition and affect combine with one another to impact suicidal behaviors. These findings may be advanced through the application of a theoretical model of affect in order to gain insight into the manner in which cognition and affect specifically relate to one another to impact suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Other goals of the current study were to examine the relationship between affect and cognition in suicidal individuals, to determine if different patterns of affect exist for different subtypes of suicidal individuals (i.e., no suicidality, suicidal ideation only, suicidal behaviors), and to assess the unique role of affect in relation to cognition. Participants in this study (n = 104) completed a series of questionnaires to measure suicidal thoughts and behaviors, hopelessness and affect. Results supported the hypothesis that positive affect and negative affect were related to suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and it was found that negative affect plays a more important role. Statistical analyses did not support the hypothesis that there were different patterns of affect for the various forms of suicidal behaviors, but visual analysis of graphs offered preliminary support for some unique patterns. An additional result of this study was that affect accounted for a significant amount of the variance in suicidal ideation, but not suicidal behaviors, above the cognitive variable of hopelessness. This means that it is important to study both cognitive and affect variables in order to gain more understanding about suicidal ideation. Some implications of this study are that therapists may gain more information about suicidal thoughts and behaviors if they assess both positive and negative affect, and it is possible that incorporating affect may enhance treatment outcomes. Follow up research is required to test these implications. In conclusion, affect is important to study in relationship to suicide, and it may provide additional information not gleaned from the more customary focus upon cognition in the suicide literature.
Karen Scheel (Advisor)
176 p.
Psychology, Clinical
suicide; affect; circumplex model

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Yamokoski, C. A. (2006). ABC's of Suicidology: The Role of Affect in Suicidal Behaviors and Cognitions [Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1153425387

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Yamokoski, Cynthia. ABC's of Suicidology: The Role of Affect in Suicidal Behaviors and Cognitions. 2006. University of Akron, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1153425387.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Yamokoski, Cynthia. "ABC's of Suicidology: The Role of Affect in Suicidal Behaviors and Cognitions." Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron, 2006. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1153425387

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 2006, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.