(PS2-C67) Does Trait Aggression Moderate the Relationship Between Suicidal Ideation and Anxiety Sensitivity?

Anxiety sensitivity (AS) refers to fear of symptoms associated with anxiety (e.g., misinterpreting the cognitive, physical, or emotional symptoms of anxiety as harmful, further exacerbating anxiety). AS is a risk factor for suicidal ideation (SI). Specifically, AS cognitive concerns (ASCC; catastrophic fears of cognitive symptoms of anxiety – “It scares me when I am unable to keep my mind on a task”) have been linked with mood disorders, SI, and suicide attempts. Even brief intervention to reduce AS has been shown to significantly decrease levels of SI. AS can be contextualized within the depression-distress amplification model which posits that ASCC amplifies distress brought on by mood symptoms, and SI occurs when distress reaches severe levels.

Trait aggression (T-AG; predisposition to respond to situations in a way that may harm oneself or others) is also associated with SI, and growing literature has examined the combined effects of AS + T-AG relative to SI. Researchers found that hostility and physical aggression (subcategories of T-AG) both mediate the relationship between ASCC + SI. Further, T-AG may also serve as a pathway through which SI escalates to an attempt. Thus, it is important to further understand the role of T-AG in SI and attempts, as both AS + T-AG can be important targets for treatment.

We hypothesized that AS, ASCC, and T-AG would each be positively correlated with SI. Moreover, we investigated the extent to which T-AG moderates the relationship between AS + SI and ASCC + SI. Specifically, we hypothesized that higher T-AG would strengthen the positive relationships between AS + SI and ASCC + SI. Because there is limited research on T-AG moderating the link between AS and SI, understanding the traits associated with this relationship can provide important insight into causes and treatments of the suicide crisis.

Former participants in mood disorder research with diagnoses of major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder (N = 116) were contacted for long-term follow-up of depressive symptoms. As part of a larger assessment battery, participants completed the 16 item Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI), the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire, and questions 1 through 5 of the Scale for Suicidal Ideation. A subset of questions from the ASI were used to calculate ASCC. We used Spearman’s rank order correlation and regression to test our hypotheses.

In line with our hypothesis, SI + AS were positively correlated (rho = 0.23, p = 0.01), as were SI + T-AG (rho = 0.3, p < 0.001). The significant positive relationship between SI + ASCC (rho = 0.19, p</span> = 0.045) did not survive after removing an outlier that appeared to be driving the result (rho = 0.16, p = 0.08). Lastly, T-AG did not appear to moderate the relationship between AS + SI (T-AG x AS interaction p = 0.991) or the relationship between ASCC + SI (T-AG x ASCC interaction p = 0.57).

Our results are consistent with previous research suggesting that AS + T-AG are positively correlated with SI. However, these findings do not support a relationship between ASCC + SI or interaction effects between T-AG and overall AS or ASCC relative to SI. Future work should look at AS + T-AG longitudinally instead of cross-sectionally as it could provide important insight into the interplay between AS + T-AG and the development of SI.