The interpersonal-psychological theory of suicidal behavior (IPTS) is an exemplary model for understanding the desire for suicidal behavior. As such, it is important to explore its applicability in ethnoracial minority groups at increasing risk for suicidal behavior, such as low-income African American women. Guided by the IPTS, the current study used five parallel mediation models to examine if there are links between individual types of childhood abuse (physical, sexual, emotional) and suicide resilience and between cumulative abuse (higher levels of abuse inclusive of all three types, more types of severe levels of abuse) and suicide resilience, and whether the three components of the model (thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, acquired capability for suicide) mediate these associations. In a sample of low-income, African American women (n = 179), higher levels of each of the three types of childhood abuse and cumulative abuse correlated with lower levels of suicide resilience. Parallel mediation analyses using bootstrapping techniques revealed that increased acquired capability for suicide mediated all five associations and perceived burdensomeness mediated three of the links (emotional abuse, cumulative abuse, and cumulative abuse-severe with suicide resilience). Attention is paid to the clinical implications of the findings in terms of attending to the acquired capability for suicide and suicide resilience in the assessment and treatment of low-income, suicidal, African American women.

Objective This study examined whether (1) behavioral health providers were more likely to implement best practices when they were more confident in their abilities, (2) number of suicide prevention trainings was positively associated with perceived confidence in abilities and implementation of evidence‐based practices, and (3) specific trainings were more impactful than others on increasing providers’ level of confidence and/or practices. Method Providers (N = 137) at three rural community behavioral health centers who had opportunities to attend multiple suicide prevention trainings completed the Zero Suicide Workforce Survey, a measure to evaluate staff knowledge, practices, and confidence in caring for patients at risk of suicide. Results There was a moderate association between provider's practice and confidence. The number of attended trainings had a significant correlation with both practice and confidence. Particular trainings demonstrated differential effects on provider's practice and confidence. Conclusion These results suggest that behavioral health providers who are confident in their skills in assessing and treating suicide risk are more likely incorporate best practices into their clinical work. Also, it appears there is a small but significant benefit to multiple trainings for increasing both practice and confidence among providers.

Background There is an increased interest in understanding the mechanisms through which post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) relates with hopelessness and suicidal ideation. Spiritual well-being could help explain the link between PTSD and both hopelessness and suicidal ideation in African Americans. However, no study has examined the mediational role of existential and religious well-being among these variables. Objectives To examine if initial levels of existential and religious well-being mediated the relation between levels of PTSD symptoms and prospective levels of hopelessness and suicidal ideation in a sample of African American females. Design The study used a longitudinal design with a 10-week time interval. Methods The sample comprised of 113 disadvantaged African American women survivors of a recent suicide attempt recruited from a southern hospital. Self-report measures of PTSD symptoms, hopelessness, suicidal ideation, and spiritual well-being were administered to examine the variables of interest. Bootstrapping techniques were used to test the mediational models. Results Existential, but not religious well-being, mediated the relationship between levels of PTSD symptoms severity and both levels of hopelessness and suicidal ideation over time. Conclusions Existential well-being appears to play a promising protective role against the negative effects of PTSD on both hopelessness and suicidal ideation.

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Individuals with intellectual disability (ID) are at increased risk of presenting challenging behaviors and comorbid mental illness. Preliminary findings show decreased challenging behaviors and overall increased functioning in individuals with ID and mental health problems who receive adapted dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). However, more research and documentation on how to adapt DBT in this population is warranted given that DBT is a promising intervention in individuals with ID. This article presents the case of an individual with mild ID who received adapted DBT for the treatment of challenging behaviors, emotional dysregulation, and generalized anxiety disorder. Treatment lasted 1 year and was conducted in a residential facility for individuals with ID. Improvement of symptoms and decrease in frequency of challenging behaviors were observed throughout the case. This case study demonstrates the potential utility of adapted DBT for individuals with ID and underscores the importance of teaching skills to clients with ID to help them become agents of their own change.