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Karnick AT, Bauer BW, Capron DW. Negative mood and optimism bias: An experimental investigation of sadness and belief updating. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2024; 82:101910. [PMID: 37714798 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2023.101910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Understanding how individuals integrate new information to form beliefs under changing emotional conditions is crucial to describing decision-making processes. Previous research suggests that although most people demonstrate bias toward optimistic appraisals of new information when updating beliefs, individuals with dysphoric psychiatric conditions (e.g., major depression) do not demonstrate this same bias. Despite these findings, limited research has investigated the relationship between affective states and belief updating processes. METHODS We induced neutral and sad moods in participants and had them complete a belief-updating paradigm by estimating the likelihood of negative future events happening to them, viewing the actual likelihood, and then re-estimating their perceived likelihood. RESULTS We observed that individuals updated their beliefs more after receiving desirable information relative to undesirable information under neutral conditions. Further, we found that individuals did not demonstrate unrealistic optimism under negative affective conditions. LIMITATIONS This study incorporated a population of university students under laboratory conditions and would benefit from replication and extension in clinical populations and naturalistic settings. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that momentary fluctuations in mood affect how individuals integrate information to form beliefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandr T Karnick
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA.
| | - Brian W Bauer
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Daniel W Capron
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
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Bailey AL, Capron DW, Buerke ML, Bauer BW. The associations between sport- and physical activity-related concussions and suicidality, suicide capability, and hopelessness among high school adolescents. J Adolesc 2023. [PMID: 37118913 DOI: 10.1002/jad.12179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Concussions are associated with a variety of physical, cognitive, and mental health impairments. If sustained during adolescence, a time when the brain is undergoing development, the risk of long-term impairments becomes heightened. This is a notable subject for investigation as many concussions are sustained among adolescents during high school sports and other physical activities. METHODS We used data from the 2019 United States Youth Risk Behavior Survey to investigate the association between concussions and suicidality (i.e., suicide ideation, planning, and attempts), suicide capability (i.e., physical fighting and weapon carrying), and hopelessness, a risk factor for suicide. We utilized a cross-sectional design and used multivariate regression models and t tests for analysis. RESULTS Participants were 1754 adolescent students who sustained a concussion during the prior year (54.61% male; M age = 15.94) and 9795 adolescent students who did not sustain a concussion during the prior year (47.27% male; M age = 15.95). Females were less likely (13.23%) than males (17.12%) to report at least one concussion in the past 12 months. Both male and female students who had experienced a concussion were more likely to report physical fighting, weapon carrying, and hopelessness. Male students with a concussion history were also more likely to report suicide attempts than male students without a concussion history. CONCLUSION Findings indicate that concussions are associated with an increased risk of suicide attempts, suicide capability, and hopelessness among male adolescents and suicide capability and hopelessness among female adolescents. They further suggest a need for additional mental health support and safety policies for student-athletes and other at-risk adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis L Bailey
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
| | - Daniel W Capron
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
| | - Morgan L Buerke
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
| | - Brian W Bauer
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
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Klumpp H, Bauer BW, Glazer J, Macdonald-Gagnon G, Feurer C, Duffecy J, Medrano GR, Craske MG, Phan KL, Shankman SA. Neural responsiveness to reward and suicidal ideation in social anxiety and major depression before and after psychotherapy. Biol Psychol 2023; 178:108520. [PMID: 36801433 PMCID: PMC10106432 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2023.108520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Suicidality is prevalent in Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Limited data indicate the reward positivity (RewP), a neurophysiological index of reward responsivity, and subjective capacity for pleasure may serve as brain and behavioral assays for suicide risk though this has yet to be examined in SAD or MDD in the context of psychotherapy. Therefore, the current study tested whether suicidal ideation (SI) relates to RewP and subjective capacity for anticipatory and consummatory pleasure at baseline and whether Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) impacts these measures. Participants with SAD (n = 55) or MDD (n = 54) completed a monetary reward task (gains vs. losses) during electroencephalogram (EEG) before being randomized to CBT or supportive therapy (ST), a comparator common factors arm. EEG and SI data were collected at baseline, mid-treatment, and post-treatment; capacity for pleasure was collected at baseline and post-treatment. Baseline results showed participants with SAD or MDD were comparable in SI, RewP, and capacity for pleasure. When controlling for symptom severity, SI negatively corresponded with RewP following gains and SI positively corresponded with RewP following losses at baseline. Yet, SI did not relate to subjective capacity for pleasure. Evidence of a distinct SI-RewP association suggests RewP may serve as a transdiagnositic brain-based marker of SI. Treatment outcome revealed that among participants with SI at baseline, SI significantly decreased regardless of treatment arm; also, consummatory, but not anticipatory, pleasure increased across participants regardless of treatment arm. RewP was stable following treatment, which has been reported in other clinical trial studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heide Klumpp
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Brian W Bauer
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - James Glazer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Cope Feurer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jennifer Duffecy
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Gustavo R Medrano
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Michelle G Craske
- Department of Psychology and Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - K Luan Phan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Stewart A Shankman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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Saulnier KG, Volarov M, Velimirović M, Bauer BW, Kolnogorova K, Ashrafioun L, Stecker T, Allan NP. Risk factors of suicidal behaviors in a high-risk longitudinal veteran sample: A network analysis. Suicide Life Threat Behav 2023; 53:4-15. [PMID: 36029133 DOI: 10.1111/sltb.12918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Suicide is a substantial public health burden, particularly among veterans. Risk factors have been delineated for suicide; however, the dynamic interrelations between risk factors have not been fully examined. Such research has the potential to elucidate processes that contribute to suicide risk between individuals with a past suicide attempt (attempters) and those without a past suicide attempt (nonattempters). METHODS In the current study, network analysis was used to compare networks between attempters and nonattempters in a high-risk veteran sample (N = 770; Mage = 32.3 years, SD = 6.8; 326 with a past suicide attempt) who were followed over 1 year. Networks were estimated to examine (1) concurrent relations of suicide risk factors at baseline and (2) predictability of prospective suicidal behavior (SB). RESULTS There were no differences in the overall connectivity of attempter and nonattempter networks. Perceived burdensomeness and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were most central in the attempters' network, whereas PTSD symptoms and insomnia were most central in the nonattempters' network. The risk factors prospective SB in either network. However, attempters were more likely to engage in SB over the course of the study. CONCLUSION These findings highlight the difficulty in predicting who will attempt suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin G Saulnier
- Department of Psychology, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, College of Medicine, Penn State University, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Marija Volarov
- Department of Psychology, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Mina Velimirović
- Department of Psychology, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Brian W Bauer
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
| | | | - Lisham Ashrafioun
- VA VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, Canandaigua VA Medical Center, Canandaigua, New York, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Tracy Stecker
- VA VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, Canandaigua VA Medical Center, Canandaigua, New York, USA.,College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Nicholas P Allan
- Department of Psychology, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, USA.,VA VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, Canandaigua VA Medical Center, Canandaigua, New York, USA
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Bauer BW, Daruwala SE, Trapp NS, Karnick AT, Schubert FT, Elder D, Schmidt NB, Anestis M, Capron DW. Examining perceptions about the association between access to firearms and suicide risk. Psychiatry Res 2022; 317:114888. [PMID: 37732848 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Revised: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Brian W Bauer
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, United States.
| | | | - Nicole S Trapp
- Department of Psychiatry, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, United States
| | | | | | - Domynic Elder
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, United States
| | - Norman B Schmidt
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, United States
| | - Michael Anestis
- New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, United States; School of Public Health, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Daniel W Capron
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, United States
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Caulfield NM, Karnick AT, Fergerson AK, Bauer BW, Capron DW. Exploring the indirect effects of acute dissociation on capability and suicide risk: A multi-method investigation with augmented reality. Suicide Life Threat Behav 2022; 52:792-801. [PMID: 35945915 DOI: 10.1111/sltb.12863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The current study aimed to explicate the role of dissociation in the capability and suicide relationship by examining how lifetime and state-based acute dissociation contributes to capability for suicide using a multi-method approach of self-report and augmented reality (AR) laboratory tasks. METHOD Participants (N = 145) were students recruited for course credit at a southern university. Participants completed self-report and laboratory AR dissociative induction tasks. Correlations and mediation analyses were conducted to test hypotheses using SPSS v. 26 and PROCESS Macro. RESULTS There was a significant indirect effect on capability and suicidal ideation via acute dissociation (β = 0.035, SE = 0.02, 95% CI = 0.001, 0.095). Additionally, there was a significant indirect effect on capability and suicide attempt(s) via dissociation (β = 0.19, SE = 0.10, 95% CI = 0.044, 0.449). CONCLUSIONS As prior theories suggest, dissociation may augment feeling disconnected from the body and may temporarily impact capability to render a suicidal act as more probable. The presence of dissociation after a painful and provocative attempt may increase capability and pain tolerance. Implications of these findings include the consideration of dissociation as a pertinent factor in the assessment and treatment of suicide and the role of AR in aiding the exploration of suicide correlates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ava K Fergerson
- The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
| | - Brian W Bauer
- The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
| | - Daniel W Capron
- The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
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7
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Capron DW, Bauer BW, Bryan CJ. When people die by suicide: Introducing unacceptable loss thresholds as a potential missing link between suicide readiness states and actively suicidal clinical states. Suicide Life Threat Behav 2022; 52:280-288. [PMID: 34854497 DOI: 10.1111/sltb.12820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Contemporary models of suicide have largely overlooked why a person at high risk for suicide attempts suicide at a specific time. We propose the construct of unacceptable loss thresholds (i.e., a person's tolerance limit for a negative life event, which if violated results in an increase in suicide risk), which addresses many paradoxes in the literature related to suicide triggers. The aim of this paper is to provide preliminary proof of concept and to stimulate replication and further empirical study. METHODS We recruited an online community sample of individuals with a suicide attempt history (n = 144). These individuals answered questions about the time leading up to their most recent suicide attempt. RESULTS The majority (70.8% yes; 18.1% cannot remember; 11.1% no) reported creating a threshold of unacceptable loss, and that relatively small events were enough to trigger feelings that life was not worth living (63.9% yes; 30.6% maybe; 5.6% no). Further, the majority (57.6% yes; 21.5% yes, but only if asked; 20.8% - no) reported they would be willing to tell their therapist/doctor about their thresholds of unacceptable loss. CONCLUSION The construct of unacceptable loss deserves further empirical inquiry. Individuals contemplating suicide set them and if the loss occurs, it may trigger suicidal action in suicide ready individuals. Thresholds could provide risk assessment and safety planning data currently being overlooked.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel W Capron
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
| | - Brian W Bauer
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
| | - Craig J Bryan
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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8
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Smith NS, Bauer BW, Capron DW. Comparing symptom networks of daytime and nocturnal panic attacks in a community-based sample. J Anxiety Disord 2022; 85:102514. [PMID: 34929433 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2021.102514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Nocturnal panic refers to waking in a state of panic without obvious triggers, experiencing the same symptoms as panic attacks that occur while awake. Interrelationships between daytime and nocturnal panic symptoms have not been examined despite theories suggesting panic symptoms perpetuate one another in a forward feedback loop. The current study compared associations between symptoms in daytime and nocturnal panic using network analysis. Network theory conceptualizes symptoms as causing one another, rather than originating from a latent variable (i.e., a disorder). Given that nocturnal panic originates from sleep stages without cognitive activity, cognitive symptoms were expected to be more central in daytime panic networks than nocturnal panic networks. Prior literature indicates similar nocturnal and daytime panic severity; thus, we expected that panic groups would report equivalent panic symptom severity. An online community sample (N = 215) provided panic symptom history. Panic network structures did not differ, although the daytime panic network produced stronger and more numerous connections between physical and cognitive symptoms. The nocturnal panic group, however, reported more severe cognitive symptoms than the daytime panic group. These results challenge biologically-focused nocturnal panic theories and suggest a more significant role of cognitive symptoms in perpetuating nocturnal panic attacks once the individual awakens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole S Smith
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA.
| | - Brian W Bauer
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
| | - Daniel W Capron
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
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9
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Smith NS, Bauer BW, Martin RL, Tucker RP, Capron DW. Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 Suicidal Cognition Concerns: A New Measure Examining Negative Reactions to Suicidal Ideation. Arch Suicide Res 2022; 26:245-260. [PMID: 32749205 DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2020.1793042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Anxiety sensitivity cognitive concerns (ASCC), the fear of the consequences of mental dyscontrol, has been established as a risk factor for suicidal ideation (SI). Treatments targeted at reducing ASCC have been shown to reduce suicide risk. In this study, a new self-report measure, the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 Suicidal Cognition Concerns (ASI-3-SCC), was developed to assess sensitivity specifically to thoughts of suicide and wanting to die. METHOD Participants completed the new measure as well as measures of anxiety sensitivity, depressive symptoms, SI, and worst point SI. We hypothesized that the ASI-3-SCC would be associated with SI and worst point SI. Additionally, we hypothesized that the ASI-3-SCC would moderate the relationship between ASCC and SI. RESULTS As predicted, the ASI-3-SCC was significantly associated with SI in the past two weeks and lifetime worst point SI after accounting for ASCC and depression. The ASI-3-SCC also moderated the relationship between ASCC and SI such that ASCC was related to SI at high levels of ASI-3-SCC. CONCLUSIONS We suggest that the interpretation of SI and feelings of wanting to die as dangerous may lead to more attention to those thoughts when they occur and increased psychological distress associated with those thoughts. This measure will allow researchers to measure a novel construct in the literature and further examine the impact of catastrophic interpretations of suicidal thoughts.HighlightsCreated a new measure for sensitivity to thoughts of suicide and wanting to die.Suicidal cognition concerns associated with suicidal ideation in the past two weeks.Suicidal cognition concerns associated with lifetime worst point suicidal ideation.Suicidal cognition concerns moderated AS cognitive concerns and ideation relation.
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10
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Bock JE, Tucker RP, Brown RP, Harrington EE, Bauer BW, Daruwala SE, Capron DW, Anestis MD. Factors contributing to honor-endorsing men's suicide capability: Firearm ownership, practical capability, and exposure to painful and provocative events. Suicide Life Threat Behav 2021; 51:1247-1258. [PMID: 34608661 DOI: 10.1111/sltb.12807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE White men in U.S. cultures of honor die by suicide at greater rates than other demographic groups. This finding has been attributed to factors such as the prevalence and use of firearms in men's suicide in honor states, as well as motivational risk factors (e.g., thwarted belongingness). Other features of honor cultures (e.g., physical aggression, risk-taking behaviors) suggest that honor-endorsing men may frequently experience painful and provocative events (PPEs), which, in turn, may facilitate practical capability for suicide. The present work tested this hypothesis and honor ideology's relationship to firearm ownership and storage practices. METHOD In two samples of mostly White U.S. men-one undergraduate sample (N = 472, Mage = 19.76) and one middle- to older adult sample (N = 419, Mage = 65.17)-we assessed honor ideology endorsement, PPEs, practical capability for suicide, and firearm-related outcomes. RESULTS Honor endorsement was greater among firearm owners (particularly self-protective owners), but it was unrelated to storage practices. Honor endorsement was positively associated with PPEs and practical capability. Additionally, the relationship between honor ideology and practical capability was indirectly explained by PPE exposure. CONCLUSIONS Results highlight multiple avenues-PPEs, practical capability for suicide, (self-protective) firearm ownership-by which masculine honor norms may place men at risk for suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarrod E Bock
- Department of Psychology, Towson University, Towson, Maryland, USA
| | - Raymond P Tucker
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Ryan P Brown
- The Doerr Institute for New Leaders, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Erin E Harrington
- Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Brian W Bauer
- Department of Psychology, Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
| | - Samantha E Daruwala
- Department of Psychology, Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
| | - Daniel W Capron
- Department of Psychology, Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
| | - Michael D Anestis
- New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA.,Department of Urban-Global Public Health, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
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Albanese BJ, Capron DW, Macatee RJ, Bauer BW, Schmidt NB. Thwarted belongingness predicts greater neural reactivity to a novel social exclusion image set: Evidence from the late positive potential. Suicide Life Threat Behav 2021; 51:916-930. [PMID: 34080235 DOI: 10.1111/sltb.12775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Thwarted belongingness (TB) is among the most well-researched risk factors for suicidal ideation (SI). Yet, there is little research examining neural mechanisms underlying this construct. The present study used a novel social exclusion image set in concert with the late positive potential (LPP) to test the role of neural reactivity social exclusion in TB and SI. METHODS Participants (n = 243) were recruited based on elevated suicide risk and completed an emotional picture viewing task. The LPP was used to index neural reactivity to a novel set of social exclusion images and international affective picture system (IAPS) neutral, positive, and negative images. RESULTS Greater TB predicted a larger social exclusion ΔLPP (social exclusion LPP relative to neutral LPP) and social exclusion LPP even when accounting for SI, biological sex, age, negative affect, and perceived burdensomeness. Moreover, the social exclusion LPP was uniquely related to TB beyond the LPP to other images. Last, a larger social exclusion LPP predicted greater SI via elevations in TB. CONCLUSION Reactivity to social exclusion stimuli may play an important role in SI via elevated TB, but not perceived burdensomeness. Future research should further explore the neural mechanisms underlying other IPT constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Albanese
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Daniel W Capron
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
| | - Richard J Macatee
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Brian W Bauer
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
| | - Norman B Schmidt
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
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12
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Bauer BW, Gai AR, Joiner TE, Capron DW. The Frequency and Subjective Impact of Painful and Provocative Events on the Acquired Capability for Suicide. Arch Suicide Res 2021; 25:715-729. [PMID: 32336213 DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2020.1756017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leading theoretical explanations for suicide state that for suicide death to occur, a person must have sufficient capability to enact an attempt. Exposure to painful and provocative events is hypothesized to play an important role in acquiring the capability for suicide over a lifetime. Unfortunately, assessment tools for painful and provocative events have focused solely on the frequency of events, neglecting the potential contributions of perceived impact. Further, past measurements have used predetermined items for painful and provocative events thereby neglecting other relevant events. The current study uses visual analog scales (VAS) to assess both the frequency and impact of painful and provocative events and how these contribute to the capability for suicide. METHOD Data were collected from 787 adults via Amazon's online platform. RESULTS Findings indicated that the frequency VAS and impact VAS both had a moderate correlation with the original Painful and Provocative Events Scale. Greater scores on the frequency VAS were associated with increased capability, whereas lower scores on the subjective impact VAS were associated with increased capability scores. Both VAS independently predicted capability above and beyond the PPES. LIMITATIONS Temporal or causal associations are unable to be drawn due to cross-sectional data. In addition, the sample was largely homogenous (White = 72%, female = 63.5%), limiting generalizability. CONCLUSIONS These initial findings demonstrate individuals who perceive painful and provocative events as being less impactful may have increased capability, and that VAS may be appropriate to approximate the impact and frequency of painful and provocative events.
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13
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Capron DW, Andel R, Voracek M, Till B, Niederkrotenthaler T, Bauer BW, Anestis MD, Tran US. Time-series analyses of firearm-related Google searches and U.S. suicide rates 2004-2016. Suicide Life Threat Behav 2021; 51:554-563. [PMID: 33426750 DOI: 10.1111/sltb.12728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The U.S. suicide rate has increased 35% since 1999. The role of the Internet has not been thoroughly investigated despite Internet use more than doubling from 1999 to present. The majority of U.S. suicide deaths are by firearm; however, there is no examination of the association between trends in firearm Internet searches and overall and firearm monthly suicide rates. We hypothesized that search strings related to firearm suicide would be significantly associated with monthly suicide rates (both all methods and firearm). METHODS Google Trends provides data on request frequencies of searches. Twenty-four search strings were examined representing possible searches by individuals considering firearm suicide and compared to U.S. suicide rates with time-series modeling. RESULTS In the time series with higher search volumes, consistent associations were found of negative cross-correlation at lag +1. CONCLUSIONS Several searches appeared at least sensitive enough to consistently show associations with overall and firearm suicide rates in the following month. This novel finding should be followed up as the potential exists to predict suicide trends.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rita Andel
- Wiener Werkstaette for Suicide Research, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Voracek
- Wiener Werkstaette for Suicide Research, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods of Psychology, School of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Benedikt Till
- Wiener Werkstaette for Suicide Research, Vienna, Austria.,Unit Suicide Research & Mental Health Promotion, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Niederkrotenthaler
- Wiener Werkstaette for Suicide Research, Vienna, Austria.,Unit Suicide Research & Mental Health Promotion, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Brian W Bauer
- University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
| | | | - Ulrich S Tran
- Wiener Werkstaette for Suicide Research, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods of Psychology, School of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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14
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Abstract
Capability for suicide is frequently assessed using the Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale (ACSS) or the Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale-Fearlessness About Death (ACSS-FAD); however, the measurement invariance of these self-report measures across relevant demographic groups has not been tested. The current study aimed to examine the measurement invariance of the ACSS and ACSS-FAD across (a) gender; (b) suicide attempt status; and (c) military deployment history in a sample of 2,551 participants (M = 28.92, SD = 10.73; 56.7% male, 68.5% White) who participated in one of several studies funded by the Military Suicide Research Consortium. Results indicated that the ACSS exhibited poor model fit; thus, further investigation of measurement invariance was not conducted. Furthermore, although partial measurement invariance of the ACSS-FAD was met for gender, scalar invariance was not supported across military deployment history, and no form of measurement invariance was met across suicide attempt status. Overall, given the lack of strong model fit and measurement invariance in the ACSS and ACSS-FAD across several demographic groups, new or modified self-report measures for capability for suicide may be warranted. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan L Rogers
- Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine
| | - Brian W Bauer
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi
| | - Anna R Gai
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University
| | - Mary E Duffy
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University
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15
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Law KC, Rogers ML, Tucker RP, Bauer BW, Capron DW, Anestis MD, Joiner TE. Rumination in the Context of Anger and Sadness: Differential Effects on State Agitation. J Affect Disord 2021; 280:89-96. [PMID: 33207285 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.11.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Agitation is an important transdiagnostic factor for several mental health disorders and a significant risk factor for dangerous or maladaptive coping behaviors. How an individual responds to experiences of agitation itself may also play a crucial role in conferring risk towards maladaptive behaviors. Specifically, ruminating on high arousal emotions, such as anger, will also be more likely to initiate and maintain agitation, thereby increasing risk for impulsive and maladaptive behaviors. METHODS Undergraduate students (N=117) were randomly assigned to an emotion induction condition (i.e., control, sadness only, anger only, sadness and anger) followed by either a control condition or a rumination induction. They completed measures on subjective emotional state and agitation at baseline, after emotion induction, after rumination induction, and at the end of session. RESULTS Agitation was influenced by negative affect broadly with each experimental condition leading to agitation. Anger influenced momentary change in agitation and sustained agitation when combined with rumination. LIMITATIONS The majority of participants in the current study were young, white females and the findings may not generalize to individuals of diverse genders and cultures who may have experience and cope with agitation differently. CONCLUSIONS Recognizing and mitigating rumination during moments of anger may help decrease a clients' use of problematic coping behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Megan L Rogers
- Florida State University; Alpert Medical School of Brown University
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16
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Bauer BW, Law KC, Rogers ML, Capron DW, Bryan CJ. Editorial overview: Analytic and methodological innovations for suicide-focused research. Suicide Life Threat Behav 2021; 51:5-7. [PMID: 33624875 DOI: 10.1111/sltb.12664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
This editorial overview provides an introduction to the Suicide and Life-Threatening Behaviors Special Issue: "Analytic and Methodological Innovations for Suicide-Focused Research." We outline several challenges faced by modern suicidologists, such as the need to integrate different analytical and methodological techniques from other fields with the unique data problems in suicide research. Therefore, the overall aim of this issue was to provide up-to-date methodological and analytical guidelines, recommendations, and considerations when conducting suicide-focused research. The articles herein present this information in an accessible way for researchers/clinicians and do not require a comprehensive background in quantitative methods. We introduce the topics covered in this special issue, which include how to conduct power analyses using simulations, work with large data sets, use experimental therapeutics, and choose covariates, as well as open science considerations, decision-making models, ordinal regression, machine learning, network analysis, and measurement considerations. Many of the topics covered in this issue provide step-by-step walkthroughs using worked examples with the accompanied code in free statistical programs (i.e., R). It is our hope that these articles provide suicidologists with valuable information and strategies that can help overcome some of the past limitations of suicide research, and improve the methodological rigor of our field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian W Bauer
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
| | - Keyne C Law
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Megan L Rogers
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Daniel W Capron
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
| | - Craig J Bryan
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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17
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To present an approach for integrating recently developed methods in behavioral economics into suicidology research. At present, existing applications of delay discounting in suicidology have focused predominantly on hypothetical choices related to monetary value as a proxy to "risky" choices linked to unsafe or suicidal behavior. In this report, we outline a more targeted approach that directly indexes choices related to treatment in suicide prevention initiatives and incorporates the strengths afforded by multi-level modeling. This more targeted approach precludes the need for multi-step comparisons (improving power), avoids compressing choice variability across delays into individual values (improving precision), and better accommodates decision-making at the upper and lower extremes (improving reliability). METHOD We present this analytical approach within the context of a Hypothetical Firearm Decision-making Task with simulated participants. A simulated study is provided to illustrate how this approach can be used to evaluate how individuals make temporally delayed decisions related to treatment for suicidal behavior (i.e., temporarily limiting their access to firearms while undergoing treatment). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS The results of this simulated study are provided to illustrate how more advanced behavioral decision-making models can be used to supplement existing research methods in suicidology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Brian W Bauer
- University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
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18
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Bauer BW, Karnick A, Wells TT, Tucker RP, Capron DW. Altering preferences for suicide crisis resources using the decoy nudge: Evidence of context-dependent effects in suicide prevention decision making. J Consult Clin Psychol 2021; 89:11-20. [PMID: 33507773 DOI: 10.1037/ccp0000617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. There are several important decisions that could confer later risk to a suicide attempt (e.g., how to store lethal means). Therefore, understanding how people make decisions that are relevant for suicide risk is an important area of study for suicidology. Human behavior diverges from perfectly rational economic decision making according to observable patterns based on predictable cognitive processes. Nudges attempt to diminish, leverage, or circumvent these deviations to increase the probability of a desired choice being selected or behavior being performed. One deviation from rationality is that human choice is context dependent. This deviation can be observed by introducing an objectively inferior alternative option (a decoy) into a choice array that alters an individual's preference. Using decoys could be one way to nudge people toward best practices in suicide prevention work. METHOD This study examined if decoys could reliably alter participant preferences for suicide prevention resources using a hypothetical scenario in three separate online samples (i.e., general population, participants with recent suicidal thoughts, gun owners). RESULTS Our results found that introducing a slightly (but objectively) worse version of an existing suicide prevention resource increased the preference toward the slightly better option. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that using decoys could be an effective nudge for influencing people's preference toward best practices. Most important, these findings highlight the importance of context effects on choice preference in suicide research and prevention efforts, as well as suggest irrational decision-making processes in suicide-relevant decision making. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
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19
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Shahnaz A, Bauer BW, Daruwala SE, Klonsky ED. Exploring the scope and structure of suicide capability. Suicide Life Threat Behav 2020; 50:1230-1240. [PMID: 32924164 DOI: 10.1111/sltb.12686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Recent theories of suicide suggest that a construct called "capability for suicide" facilitates the progression from suicidal thoughts to attempts. Various measures of capability have been developed to assess different parts of the construct, but studies report inconsistent findings regarding reliability, validity, and structure. The present study pooled items from multiple measures to identify distinct, reliable, and valid domains of suicide capability. METHOD We administered items from several suicide capability measures to an online sample of US adults (n = 387), and utilized exploratory factor analysis to identify distinct domains of capability. We then examined the internal consistencies of and intercorrelations among these domains, as well as their associations with suicide attempts. RESULTS Findings identified three domains of suicide capability: fearlessness about death, practical capability, and pain tolerance. These domains were internally consistent (αs = 0.80-0.92), and relatively independent from one another (intercorrelations = 0.15-0.35). Finally, each of these domains was moderately elevated among attempters compared to ideators (although only fearlessness about death and practical capability offered unique information about attempter status). CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that fearlessness about death, practical capability, and pain tolerance can be measured reliably, and may be relevant for understanding which ideators make attempts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arezoo Shahnaz
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Brian W Bauer
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
| | - Samantha E Daruwala
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
| | - E David Klonsky
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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20
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Martin RL, Bauer BW, Smith NS, Daruwala SE, Green BA, Anestis MD, Capron DW. Internal Battles: Examining How Anger/Hostility Moderate the Association Between Negative Urgency and Suicidal Desire Variables in Military and Civilian Samples. Suicide Life Threat Behav 2020; 50:805-822. [PMID: 32026518 DOI: 10.1111/sltb.12616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Suicide is consistently within the top ten leading causes of death in the United States. The suicide rate of National Guard personnel is elevated relative to the general population; however, research suggests that many of the suicide risk factors for military personnel are similar to the suicide risk factors for civilians. We examined whether negative urgency moderated the relationships between anger/hostility and perceived burdensomeness/thwarted belongingness in both a military and civilian samples. METHOD There were two samples in the current study: (1) military personnel (majority national guard) and (2) community members oversampled for suicide attempt history. RESULTS Our hypotheses were partially supported with the interaction of hostility and negative urgency predicting perceived burdensomeness in the military sample. Within civilians, anger interacted with negative urgency to predict perceived burdensomeness. There were nonsignificant findings for analyses predicting thwarted belongingness. Exploratory analyses indicated that in both samples, anger and hostility interacted with negative urgency to predict suicidal ideation. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that aggressive attributes may contribute to individuals feeling as though they are a burden on others when moderate to high levels of negative urgency are present. Additionally, this study provides foundational support for the differences between suicidal desire and ideation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L Martin
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
| | - Brian W Bauer
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
| | - Nicole S Smith
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
| | - Samantha E Daruwala
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
| | - Bradley A Green
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
| | - Michael D Anestis
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
| | - Daniel W Capron
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
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21
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Bauer BW, Gai AR, Duffy ME, Rogers ML, Khazem LR, Martin RL, Joiner TE, Capron DW. Fearlessness about death does not differ by suicide attempt method. J Psychiatr Res 2020; 124:42-49. [PMID: 32114031 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Modern theories of suicide, such as the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide, have overcome past conceptual limitations within suicide research by examining factors that help differentiate suicide attempters from those who experience suicidal ideation, but never attempt suicide. One such factor that has been studied extensively is fearlessness about death. Given the varying levels of lethality for different methods used in suicide attempts, an important question is if different levels of fearlessness about death are needed for specific methods. The central aim of this study was to test whether various methods for suicide are associated with different levels of fearlessness about death in a large sample of suicide attempt survivors. Participants were 620 suicide attempt survivors from active military, veteran, and civilian populations. Suicide attempt status was confirmed by two independent raters coding qualitative accounts and participants indicating at least one past attempt with intent to die on other survey items. Results indicated that fearlessness about death does not differ by attempt method and that nearly all methods are statistically equivalent to one another. Despite several methods requiring significantly more time facing mortal fear and severe physical anguish (e.g., cutting, hanging/asphyxiation), as well as certain means being much more lethal (e.g., firearm), differences in ability to enact a suicide attempt with a particular method was not associated with fearlessness about death. This may further indicate the importance of clinicians focusing on practical capability aspects (e.g., means safety, access, comfort with method) with patients at an increased risk for suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian W Bauer
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA.
| | - Anna R Gai
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Mary E Duffy
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Megan L Rogers
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Lauren R Khazem
- Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; National Center for Veterans Studies, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Rachel L Martin
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
| | - Thomas E Joiner
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Daniel W Capron
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
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22
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Abstract
People regularly make decisions that are not aligned with their own self-interests. These irrational decisions often stem from humans having bounded rationality (e.g., limited computational power), which produces reliable cognitive biases that occur outside of people's awareness and influences the decisions people make. There are many important decisions leading up to a suicide attempt, and it is likely that these same biases exist within suicide-related decisions. This article presents an argument for the likely existence of cognitive biases within suicide-related decision making and how they may influence people to make irrational decisions. In addition, this article provides new evidence for using a behavioral economic intervention-nudges-as a potential way to combat rising suicide rates. We explore how nudges can help increase means safety, disseminate suicide prevention skills/materials, diminish well-known biases (e.g., confirmation bias), and uncover biases that may be occurring when making suicide-related decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian W Bauer
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi
| | - Daniel W Capron
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi
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23
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Martin RL, Bauer BW, Ramsey KL, Green BA, Capron DW, Anestis MD. How Distress Tolerance Mediates the Relationship Between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide Constructs in a U.S. Military Sample. Suicide Life Threat Behav 2019; 49:1318-1331. [PMID: 30368865 DOI: 10.1111/sltb.12523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Despite the general suicide rate within the military being comparable to the general population when comparing peers, there are certain branches of the military that have elevated risk. Specifically, the U.S. National Guard has suicide rates that are constantly higher than other military branches and civilian peers. The National Guard are a unique military population in which they frequently transition between military and civilian life. With these unique experiences and heightened risk, military suicide prevention efforts may benefit from further research within this population. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is another concern amongst military personnel and has been linked to suicidal behavior. METHODS The current study examined the indirect effects that distress tolerance, a protective factor against suicide, has on the relationship between PTSD and constructs within a well-validated theory for suicide (the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory for suicidal behaviors) in a sample of U.S. Army National Guard personnel. RESULTS Results indicated that distress tolerance had a significant indirect effect on the relationship between PTSD and thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and capability for suicide. CONCLUSIONS These findings are consistent with previous literature examining the relationship between distress tolerance and our outcome variables. These results could have important clinical implications, mainly that intervention strategies targeting distress tolerance could have significant impacts on suicide-relate thoughts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L Martin
- Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
| | - Brian W Bauer
- Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
| | - Kathleen L Ramsey
- Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
| | - Bradley A Green
- Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
| | - Daniel W Capron
- Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
| | - Michael D Anestis
- Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
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24
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Albanese BJ, Macatee RJ, Stanley IH, Bauer BW, Capron DW, Bernat E, Joiner TE, Schmidt NB. Differentiating suicide attempts and suicidal ideation using neural markers of emotion regulation. J Affect Disord 2019; 257:536-550. [PMID: 31323595 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Theories of suicide posit distinct etiological pathways for suicide attempts (SA) and suicidal ideation (SI) that are marked, in part, by disruptions in the ability to regulate reactions to threat/mutilation and interpersonally-relevant emotional stimuli. However, little research has specifically tested these associations. To address this gap, the present study extracted the Late Positive Potential (LPP) during an emotion regulation task to evaluate the independent associations that SA history and SI share with initial responsivity to, and regulation of, these distinct emotional contents. METHODS A clinical sample (N = 257) were recruited based on elevations in suicide risk factors. Participants completed a picture viewing and regulation task that included threat/mutilation, reward, and neutral images from the International Affective Picture System. Immediately prior to picture onset, participants were instructed to passively view the image, increase their emotional reaction to the image, or decrease their emotional reaction to the image. RESULTS Differential patterns of LPP amplitudes only emerged in the context of attempts to regulate emotional responses such that SA history predicted a superior ability to volitionally mitigate responses to threat/mutilation while SI was related to a worse ability to increase responses to reward. Effect sizes were in the small and small-to-medium range. LIMITATIONS The present data were cross-sectional and included low trial counts. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these findings support existing theories of suicide suggesting that distinct mechanisms underlie suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Future research should seek to determine if these mechanisms may serve as a viable intervention targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Albanese
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States.
| | - Richard J Macatee
- Department of Psychology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Ian H Stanley
- Department of Psychology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Brian W Bauer
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, United States
| | - Daniel W Capron
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, United States
| | - Edward Bernat
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Thomas E Joiner
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
| | - Norman B Schmidt
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
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25
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Bauer BW, Martin RL, Allan NP, Fink-Miller EL, Capron DW. An Investigation into the Acquired Capability for Suicide. Suicide Life Threat Behav 2019; 49:1105-1118. [PMID: 30091246 DOI: 10.1111/sltb.12502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The acquired capability for suicide (ACS) is one of the most important breakthroughs in suicide research. ACS refers to an individual's increased fearlessness about death over time from experiencing painful and provocative events (PPE) and is based on opponent-process theory-a habituation model. Few studies have investigated how ACS develops and found that ACS remained relatively stagnant. METHOD This study sought to expand these findings by observing how ACS develops in two cross-sectional data sets involving high-risk nonclinical samples of physicians (n = 419) and veterinary students (n = 124). Participants completed online questionnaires assessing both general PPEs (e.g., witnessing abuse) and job-specific PPEs (e.g., exposure to euthanasia), as well as ACS. RESULTS Our results partially replicated prior findings indicating that more PPEs do not significantly affect ACS. CONCLUSIONS Limitations of this study include the use of cross-sectional data and self-report measures. These results, in combination with existing models of habituation, suggest ACS may not progress linearly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian W Bauer
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
| | - Rachel L Martin
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
| | | | | | - Daniel W Capron
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
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26
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Bauer BW, Albanese BJ, Martin RL, Smith NS, Schmidt NB, Capron DW. Fear reactivity to head-mounted display perceptual illusion challenges is associated with suicidality. Psychiatry Res 2019; 276:262-268. [PMID: 31125903 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2018.12.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Suicide remains a public health concern with suicide rates showing a consistent increase over the last 20 years. Recent studies have found a relationship between anxiety sensitivity (i.e., the fear of anxiety related symptoms) and suicidality. Specifically, a relationship has been found between anxiety sensitivity cognitive concerns (ASCC) and suicidality. The knowledge around this relationship, however, has relied mostly on self-report measures. This study seeks to expand on the current literature by exploring the association between ASCC and suicidality, through the use of head-mounted display perceptual illusion challenges (e.g., using tactile sensations and mannequins to create illusions that the participant has switched bodies). A head-mounted display was used to elicit symptoms (e.g., depersonalization, derealization) related to ASCC in a sample of undergraduate students (N = 54). Suicidality and depression were measured by the Inventory of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms-2 (IDAS-II), anxiety sensitivity cognitive concerns by the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3), and distress by the Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS). Findings indicated that suicidality was associated with self-reported ASCC as well as the fear generated from the challenges. Furthermore, our results found that challenge-induced fear predicted suicidality scores above and beyond the traditional self-report measures of ASCC. The small sample size and low suicide risk of the current sample limits generalizations to more severe populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian W Bauer
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive #5025, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA.
| | - Brian J Albanese
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Rachel L Martin
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive #5025, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA
| | - Nicole S Smith
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive #5025, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA
| | - Norman B Schmidt
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Daniel W Capron
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive #5025, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA
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27
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Abstract
In this study, we examined the indirect effect of the Virtual Hope Box (VHB) smartphone application on suicidal ideation, mediated through coping self-efficacy. A total of 117 veterans with suicidal ideation completed measures on coping self-efficacy and suicidal ideation at baseline and weeks 3, 6, and 12. Participants were randomly assigned to either the VHB or enhanced treatment as usual (eTAU) condition. Parallel process growth curve modeling (-0.20 [95% CI = -0.44, 0.00]) and auto-regressive modeling (-0.12 [95% CI = -0.35, -0.01]) revealed that a higher rate of change in coping self-efficacy in the VHB group was associated with a decrease in suicidal ideation severity, as compared to the eTAU group. Findings suggest that coping self-efficacy may be one mechanism by which the VHB operates to help reduce suicidal ideation. More broadly, the role of coping self-efficacy in reducing suicidal ideation is worthy of future study.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Hazardous drinking is prevalent among college students and often comorbid with mood and/or anxiety disorders; however, these disorders frequently go untreated. Prior studies have found that individuals with comorbid hazardous drinking are more likely to seek treatment than those with an hazardous drinking alone. OBJECTIVES The current study tested possible psychological and structural explanations to understand these treatment seeking behaviors. METHODS A sample of 222 students identified as hazardous drinkers (AUDIT ≥ 8) participated from September 2010 to April 2011. Behavioral measures designed to mimic actual treatment seeking and self-report measures were used to assess treatment seeking behaviors, and the influence of psychopathology and individual predictors on treatment interest. RESULTS Students were more interested in treatment for emotional problems than for alcohol problems. Further, treatment seeking interest was significantly higher among individuals with comorbid hazardous drinking. When provided a telephone offer for a free on-campus clinic appointment, no students were interested in receiving treatment for alcohol use problems, but some were interested in an appointment for emotional problems (n = 13). Of those students expressing interest on the phone, seven attended the clinic appointment. Logistic regression analyses revealed that students with anxiety, anxiety sensitivity, and depression were more likely to attend the clinic appointment. Conclusions/Importance: In sum, targeting mood and anxiety disorders may be a viable way to increase treatment seeking rates in hazardous drinking college students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel W Capron
- a Department of Psychology , University of Southern Mississippi , Hattiesburg , Mississippi , USA.,b Department of Psychology , Florida State University , Tallahassee , Florida , USA
| | - Brian W Bauer
- a Department of Psychology , University of Southern Mississippi , Hattiesburg , Mississippi , USA
| | - Michael B Madson
- a Department of Psychology , University of Southern Mississippi , Hattiesburg , Mississippi , USA
| | - Norman B Schmidt
- b Department of Psychology , Florida State University , Tallahassee , Florida , USA
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Bauer BW, Gustafsson HC, Nigg J, Karalunas SL. Working memory mediates increased negative affect and suicidal ideation in childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. J Psychopathol Behav Assess 2017; 40:180-193. [PMID: 30386005 DOI: 10.1007/s10862-017-9635-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Objective Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at greater risk for suicidal ideation and suicide attempts compared to those without ADHD. Increased risk is at least partially attributable to a subset of children with ADHD and comorbid depression or disruptive behavior disorders; however, the early predictors and mechanisms driving increased risk are not well understood. Here, we investigate the contributions of two candidate mechanisms for increased suicidal ideation in children with ADHD: executive function and negative affect. Methods 623 clinically well-characterized, community-recruited children classified by research criteria as ADHD (n=388) or typically-developing controls (n=253) participated. Parent-report on the Temperament in Middle Childhood Questionnaire provided a measure of negative affectivity. Children completed laboratory tasks to measure response inhibition and working memory. Suicidal ideation was evaluated by parent report during a semi-structured interview and child responses on the Children's Depression Inventory. Results Compared to typically developing controls, children with ADHD had higher rates of suicidal ideation, more negative affect, slower stop signal reaction times, and weaker working memory. Statistical path-model analyses confirmed the hypothesis that weaker working memory in ADHD statistically mediated increased negative affect. Weaker working memory also mediated and increased suicidal ideation in these cross sectional data. Findings were not attributable to comorbid disruptive behavioral disorders. Poor response inhibition did not reliably mediate negative affect or suicidal ideation. Conclusion Impairment in working memory is an important early risk factor for suicidal ideation in children with ADHD, and may help in identifying children for prevention and early intervention efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian W Bauer
- University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive #5025, Hattiesburg, MS 39406
| | - Hanna C Gustafsson
- Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Multnomah Pavilion, Suite 1505, Mail Code: UHN-80R1 Portland, OR 97239
| | - Joel Nigg
- Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Multnomah Pavilion, Suite 1513, Mail Code: UHN-80R1 Portland, OR 97239
| | - Sarah L Karalunas
- Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Multnomah Pavilion, Suite 1513, Mail Code: UHN-80R1, Portland, OR 97239
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Bauer BW, Capron DW, Ward-Ciesielski E, Gustafsson HC, Doyle C. Extracurricular Activities are Associated with Lower Suicidality through Decreased Thwarted Belongingness in Young Adults. Arch Suicide Res 2017; 22:665-678. [PMID: 29393836 DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2018.1427162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Research has shown a negative association between extracurricular activities (ECAs) and suicidality. This study builds upon past research by using the interpersonal psychological theory of suicide to better understand the mechanisms involved in the relationship between ECAs and suicide risk. A total of 121 community and online-recruited adults ages 18 to 24-years-old participated. Self-report measures of suicidality, thwarted belongingness, and perceived burdensomeness were collected. Duration and breadth of participation in ECAs were assessed. ECA involvement was negatively associated with thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness. An indirect effect of ECAs on suicidality through thwarted belongingness was statistically significant, but not for perceived burdensomeness. ECA involvement was associated with decreased suicidality through lower levels of thwarted belongingness. Interventions utilizing ECAs may be a low-cost, high-access option for decreasing suicide risk.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Suicide rates in veteran and military populations in the United States are high. This article reviews studies of the accuracy of methods to identify individuals at increased risk of suicide and the effectiveness and adverse effects of health care interventions relevant to U.S. veteran and military populations in reducing suicide and suicide attempts. METHODS Trials, observational studies, and systematic reviews relevant to U.S. veterans and military personnel were identified in searches of MEDLINE, PsycINFO, SocINDEX, and Cochrane databases (January 1, 2008, to September 11, 2015), on Web sites, and in reference lists. Investigators extracted and confirmed data and dual-rated risk of bias for included studies. RESULTS Nineteen studies evaluated accuracy of risk assessment methods, including models using retrospective electronic records data and clinician- or patient-rated instruments. Most methods demonstrated sensitivity ≥80% or area-under-the-curve values ≥.70 in single studies, including two studies based on electronic records of veterans and military personnel, but specificity varied. Suicide rates were reduced in six of eight observational studies of population-level interventions. Only two of ten trials of individual-level psychotherapy reported statistically significant differences between treatment and usual care. CONCLUSIONS Risk assessment methods have been shown to be sensitive predictors of suicide and suicide attempts, but the frequency of false positives limits their clinical utility. Research to refine these methods and examine clinical applications is needed. Studies of suicide prevention interventions are inconclusive; trials of population-level interventions and promising therapies are required to support their clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi D Nelson
- Dr. Nelson and Dr. Kansagara are with the Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology and Dr. Denneson, Dr. O'Neil, and Dr. Teo are with the Department of Psychiatry, all in the School of Medicine at Oregon Health and Science University, Portland. Dr. Denneson, Dr. O'Neil, Dr. Kansagara, and Dr. Teo are also with the Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, Portland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, Oregon, where Ms. Low is affiliated. Mr. Bauer is with the Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg
| | - Lauren M Denneson
- Dr. Nelson and Dr. Kansagara are with the Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology and Dr. Denneson, Dr. O'Neil, and Dr. Teo are with the Department of Psychiatry, all in the School of Medicine at Oregon Health and Science University, Portland. Dr. Denneson, Dr. O'Neil, Dr. Kansagara, and Dr. Teo are also with the Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, Portland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, Oregon, where Ms. Low is affiliated. Mr. Bauer is with the Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg
| | - Allison R Low
- Dr. Nelson and Dr. Kansagara are with the Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology and Dr. Denneson, Dr. O'Neil, and Dr. Teo are with the Department of Psychiatry, all in the School of Medicine at Oregon Health and Science University, Portland. Dr. Denneson, Dr. O'Neil, Dr. Kansagara, and Dr. Teo are also with the Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, Portland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, Oregon, where Ms. Low is affiliated. Mr. Bauer is with the Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg
| | - Brian W Bauer
- Dr. Nelson and Dr. Kansagara are with the Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology and Dr. Denneson, Dr. O'Neil, and Dr. Teo are with the Department of Psychiatry, all in the School of Medicine at Oregon Health and Science University, Portland. Dr. Denneson, Dr. O'Neil, Dr. Kansagara, and Dr. Teo are also with the Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, Portland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, Oregon, where Ms. Low is affiliated. Mr. Bauer is with the Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg
| | - Maya O'Neil
- Dr. Nelson and Dr. Kansagara are with the Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology and Dr. Denneson, Dr. O'Neil, and Dr. Teo are with the Department of Psychiatry, all in the School of Medicine at Oregon Health and Science University, Portland. Dr. Denneson, Dr. O'Neil, Dr. Kansagara, and Dr. Teo are also with the Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, Portland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, Oregon, where Ms. Low is affiliated. Mr. Bauer is with the Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg
| | - Devan Kansagara
- Dr. Nelson and Dr. Kansagara are with the Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology and Dr. Denneson, Dr. O'Neil, and Dr. Teo are with the Department of Psychiatry, all in the School of Medicine at Oregon Health and Science University, Portland. Dr. Denneson, Dr. O'Neil, Dr. Kansagara, and Dr. Teo are also with the Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, Portland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, Oregon, where Ms. Low is affiliated. Mr. Bauer is with the Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg
| | - Alan R Teo
- Dr. Nelson and Dr. Kansagara are with the Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology and Dr. Denneson, Dr. O'Neil, and Dr. Teo are with the Department of Psychiatry, all in the School of Medicine at Oregon Health and Science University, Portland. Dr. Denneson, Dr. O'Neil, Dr. Kansagara, and Dr. Teo are also with the Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, Portland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, Oregon, where Ms. Low is affiliated. Mr. Bauer is with the Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg
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