SCOPE: Ecological momentary assessment of emotion regulation and suicide-specific coping strategies in individuals with suicidal thoughts and behavior

• Applicant: Juliane Brüdern, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Personality Psychology, Clinical and Medical Psychology, Methodology
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 542145221

Recent theories of suicidal thoughts and behavior (STB) primarily focus on specific risk factors and assume a linear progression of suicide risk. However, this neglects evidence that illustrates the complexity and temporal dynamics of suicidal trajectories, and prevents the investigation of underlying processes associated with the maintenance of STB. The planned study therefore focuses on relevant transdiagnostic processes in individuals with STB and aims to examine functional and dysfunctional strategies of emotion regulation (ER) and suicide-specific coping (SC), the latter referring to how people deal with suicidal thoughts and urges. For capturing the dynamics and diversity of suicidal trajectories, the study uses Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) as a method of intensive longitudinal data collection. The Dual System Model of Suicidality (DSMS) serves as the theoretical basis, applying assumptions of dual-system models from social and health psychology to suicide research. In this regard, the construct of self-control is of central importance for pursuing long-term goals, suppressing impulses and urges, and successfully regulating emotions. For the first time in the context of suicide research, the proposed study aims to investigate the association of trait and state self-control with positive and negative affect, suicidal thoughts and urge, as well as ER and SC strategies use. Furthermore, transdiagnostic explicit and implicit risk factors of STB (sleep disturbances, daily alcohol consumption, death-identity bias & suicide attentional bias), which are also associated with an impaired self-regulation, will be investigated in relation to momentary affect, suicidal ideation and urge, self-control, and ER and SC strategies. The study aims to include n = 85 inpatients having presented with acute suicidal ideation or a recent suicide attempt at admission. During their inpatient stay, a baseline assessment will be conducted. On the first day after discharge, participants will start a 28-day EMA assessment with four sampling points per day. After completion of the EMA phase, a debriefing interview by telephone will take place. This interdisciplinary EMA study is the first to examine both functional and dysfunctional ER and SC strategies in adults with STB, as well as associated transdiagnostic risk factors that could be involved in the maladaptive regulation of negative affect, suicidal ideation and urges. The study thus contributes to fundamental research on suicidality and provides vital knowledge for advancing our understanding of the dynamics of suicidal trajectories and for developing effective, personalized interventions.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Netherlands
• Co-Investigators: Professorin Dr. Heide Glaesmer; Dr. Lena Spangenberg
• Cooperation Partners: Professor Egon Dejonckheere, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Jannis Kraiss