It’s the thought that counts: belief in suicide as an escape moderates the relationship between emotion dysregulation and suicidal ideation cross-sectionally and longitudinally

BACKGROUND: Previous research has illustrated a relationship between emotion dysregulation and suicidal ideation, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. However, it is not yet understood how this relationship manifests. The aim of this study was to explore if two beliefs about suicide, (1) suicide as a way to escape from emotional pain and (2) suicide as a solution to a problem, moderate the relationship between emotion dysregulation and suicidal ideation. METHODS: One hundred one community participants completed questionnaires examining emotion dysregulation, suicidal ideation, and beliefs in the functions of suicide. Inclusion criteria were used to over-sample individuals within the community experiencing higher levels of suicidal ideation and emotion dysregulation. Hierarchical linear regressions with interaction terms were used to assess moderation effects. The moderating role of beliefs in the function of suicide was examined both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. RESULTS: Suicide as an escape significantly moderated the relationship between global emotion dysregulation and suicidal ideation cross-sectionally, while it moderated the relationship between a facet of emotion dysregulation and suicidal ideation longitudinally. Greater endorsement of this belief resulted in a stronger relationship between emotion dysregulation and suicidal ideation. The function of suicide as a solution to a problem did not moderate the emotion dysregulation-suicidal ideation relationship. CONCLUSIONS: These findings underscore the importance of not only addressing emotion dysregulation but also addressing the underlying belief that suicide is an escape in individuals who experience both emotion dysregulation and suicidal ideation. Intervention efforts to address belief in suicide as an escape along with emotion dysregulation are delineated.