A Two‐Year Prospective Study of Psychache and its Relationship to Suicidality Among High‐Risk Undergraduates

Abstract

Results support Shneidman's assertion that other psychological factors, such as depression and hopelessness, are only important to suicide insofar as their relationship with psychache, and that psychache and suicide ideation co-vary over time.

Personality vulnerabilities in adolescent suicidality: The mediating role of psychological distress

“…Dependency can also be a risk factor for suicide when these individuals experience social isolation (loneliness) (e.g., Beck, 1983;Blatt et al, 1982) and depression, which actuates their suicidal potential (e.g., Page et al, 2006). Research findings indicate that dependent individuals typically experience intense loneliness following object loss and often make suicidal gestures to elicit the care and concern of others (Blatt et al, 1982;Troister & Holden, 2012). Dependent individuals are excessively clingy and demanding, often alienating others.…”

Psychological Models of Suicide

“…Psychache has been shown to be a significant predictor of suicide ideation and attempts (Flynn & Holden, 2007;Holden, Mehta, Cunningham et al, 2001;Mills, Green, & Reddon, 2005;Patterson & Holden, 2012;Pereira, Kroner, Holden et al, 2010;Troister & Holden, 2010a;Troister & Holden, 2010b). Research has also supported Shneidman's assertion that the relationship of other factors with suicide is mediated by psychache, and that psychache and suicide ideation co-vary over time (DeLisle & Holden, 2009;Troister & Holden, 2012 Troister & Holden, 2012). Therefore it can be argued that these constructs are not independent.…”

Resting-state EEG delta power is associated with psychological pain in adults with a history of depression

“…Nine items are scored on a frequency scale ranging from never to always and four items are scored on a symmetrical scale ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree. The instrument is well validated in diverse populations, including outpatients with depression, male prison inmates, students at risk for suicide, and homeless men (Li et al, 2013; Mills, Green, & Reddon, 2005; Patterson & Holden, 2012; Troister & Holden, 2012; Xie et al, 2013). The OMMP questionnaire is a 44-item instrument that assesses both current psychological pain (OMMP_c, at the time the questionnaire was completed) and worst-ever psychological pain (OMMP_w), resulting in a continuous total score (range 44 – 220) for each.…”