Citation

Schienle A, Schwab D, Höfler C, Freudenthaler HH. Crisis 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Austria.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, International Association for Suicide Prevention, Publisher Hogrefe Publishing)

DOI

10.1027/0227-5910/a000645

PMID

31918583

Abstract

Background: The emotion disgust is typically directed toward stimuli in the external environment, but sometimes people develop self-directed disgust responses. Aims: The current questionnaire study focused on the role of self-disgust in lifetime suicidal ideation and behavior. Method: A total of 1,167 individuals participated in an Internet-based survey containing self-report measures of self-disgust, externally directed disgust proneness, coping styles, diagnoses of mental disorders, and suicide risk. Hierarchical regression analyses as well as mediation analyses were computed. Results: Self-disgust was the most relevant predictor of suicide risk among the assessed variables. Self-disgust was negatively associated with the use of support by others, and positively associated with evasive coping (self-blame, venting, denial), which in turn was positively associated with suicidality. Limitations: This cross-sectional study provided information on the relationship between self-disgust and suicidality in a self-selected sample. Longitudinal studies are warranted. Conclusion: Future studies are required to replicate these findings. Additionally, stronger research designs are needed in order to investigate whether self-disgust should be targeted in suicide prevention programs and interventions.

Keywords: suicidal ideation and behavior, self-disgust, external disgust, coping strategies

Language: en

Keywords

coping strategies; external disgust; self-disgust; suicidal ideation and behavior