Bending but Not Breaking: An Investigation of the Relationship between Psychological Flexibility and Suicidality in Individuals with Chronic Pain

Project Abstract

Chronic pain is a burdensome condition that has been found to be associated with increased suicide risk, yet the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear (Domenichiello & Ramsden, 2019). The present study aims to examine the role of pain interference and psychological inflexibility in predicting past two-week suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB) among individuals with chronic pain, with psychological inflexibility explored as a potential moderator. Replicating and expanding on McCracken et al. (2018), this study seeks to enhance the understanding of suicidality in chronic pain populations by using the Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory (Rolffs et al., 2018), a more psychometrically sound measure of psychological flexibility and inflexibility. Specifically, it is hypothesized that higher pain interference (H1) and greater psychological inflexibility (H2) will be positively associated with recent STB, and psychological inflexibility will moderate the relationship between pain interference and STB, such that this association is stronger in those with high psychological inflexibility (H3). Additionally, exploratory analyses will investigate the relationships between each of the distinct facets of psychological flexibility and inflexibility with STB. Results of this study are expected to contribute to a deeper understanding of the psychological mechanisms underlying suicidality in chronic pain populations and provide insight into potential therapeutic interventions targeting these psychological mechanisms, such as psychological flexibility, to mitigate suicidality in individuals with chronic pain.

Funding Type

Research Grant

Academic College

College of Humanities and Fine Arts

Area/Major/Minor

Clinical Psychology

Degree

Master of Science

Classification

Graduate

Name

Dr. Michael Bordieri

Academic College

College of Humanities and Fine Arts

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