Intolerance of aloneness as a prospective predictor of suicidal ideation during COVID-19
Background: Social distancing has been essential in mitigating the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Evidence regarding the impact of reduced social contact on mental health during the pandemic has been mixed, however, with studies suggesting that enduring personality traits and affect regulation impa...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Affective Disorders Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666915323000082 |
| _version_ | 1797946303836061696 |
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| author | Katie C. Lewis Michael J. Roche Fiona Brown Jane G. Tillman |
| author_facet | Katie C. Lewis Michael J. Roche Fiona Brown Jane G. Tillman |
| author_sort | Katie C. Lewis |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Social distancing has been essential in mitigating the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Evidence regarding the impact of reduced social contact on mental health during the pandemic has been mixed, however, with studies suggesting that enduring personality traits and affect regulation impairments may together increase risk for suicidal distress during periods of lockdown. The present study utilized experience sampling and longitudinal follow-up methods to evaluate intolerance of aloneness (IA) as a predictor of suicidal ideation (SI) during the pandemic Methods: A general adult sample (n = 184) recruited online completed an 8-week experience sampling protocol via smartphone between April and September 2020. A subset of n = 69 participants completed a follow-up assessment of SI six months after the initial study period Results: IA was associated with suicidal ideation both at baseline and prospectively during the experience sampling period. Individuals with greater IA were more likely to report SI in the short-term context of reduced daily in-person social contact. Higher IA at baseline furthermore prospectively predicted the occurrence of SI during the 6-month follow-up period Limitations: The sample was relatively homogenous in terms of demographic characteristics and excluded individuals with limited access to communication technology. While statistical models accounted for current mental health treatment status, other factors that were not assessed (such as adverse events or psychiatric symptoms in non-treatment-seeking subjects) may have contributed to the development of SI Conclusions: Findings enhance understanding of how personality-based factors may contribute to suicide risk during periods of social distancing, informing both clinical treatment, risk assessment, and public health intervention approaches. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T21:08:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-878733e3e0fc49178ecc3e8f5ea4f065 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2666-9153 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T21:08:55Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Affective Disorders Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-878733e3e0fc49178ecc3e8f5ea4f0652023-01-21T04:21:51ZengElsevierJournal of Affective Disorders Reports2666-91532023-01-0111100469Intolerance of aloneness as a prospective predictor of suicidal ideation during COVID-19Katie C. Lewis0Michael J. Roche1Fiona Brown2Jane G. Tillman3Erikson Institute for Education and Research, Austen Riggs Center, 25 Main St, Stockbridge, MA, 01262, USA; Corresponding author at: Erikson Institute for Education, Research, and Advocacy, Austen Riggs Center, 25 Main Street, Stockbridge, MA 01262, USA.Department of Psychology, West Chester University, 700 South High St, West Chester, PA, 19383, USAErikson Institute for Education and Research, Austen Riggs Center, 25 Main St, Stockbridge, MA, 01262, USAErikson Institute for Education and Research, Austen Riggs Center, 25 Main St, Stockbridge, MA, 01262, USABackground: Social distancing has been essential in mitigating the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Evidence regarding the impact of reduced social contact on mental health during the pandemic has been mixed, however, with studies suggesting that enduring personality traits and affect regulation impairments may together increase risk for suicidal distress during periods of lockdown. The present study utilized experience sampling and longitudinal follow-up methods to evaluate intolerance of aloneness (IA) as a predictor of suicidal ideation (SI) during the pandemic Methods: A general adult sample (n = 184) recruited online completed an 8-week experience sampling protocol via smartphone between April and September 2020. A subset of n = 69 participants completed a follow-up assessment of SI six months after the initial study period Results: IA was associated with suicidal ideation both at baseline and prospectively during the experience sampling period. Individuals with greater IA were more likely to report SI in the short-term context of reduced daily in-person social contact. Higher IA at baseline furthermore prospectively predicted the occurrence of SI during the 6-month follow-up period Limitations: The sample was relatively homogenous in terms of demographic characteristics and excluded individuals with limited access to communication technology. While statistical models accounted for current mental health treatment status, other factors that were not assessed (such as adverse events or psychiatric symptoms in non-treatment-seeking subjects) may have contributed to the development of SI Conclusions: Findings enhance understanding of how personality-based factors may contribute to suicide risk during periods of social distancing, informing both clinical treatment, risk assessment, and public health intervention approaches.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666915323000082SARS-CoV-2Social distancingSuicideBorderline psychopathologyExperience samplingLongitudinal |
| spellingShingle | Katie C. Lewis Michael J. Roche Fiona Brown Jane G. Tillman Intolerance of aloneness as a prospective predictor of suicidal ideation during COVID-19 Journal of Affective Disorders Reports SARS-CoV-2 Social distancing Suicide Borderline psychopathology Experience sampling Longitudinal |
| title | Intolerance of aloneness as a prospective predictor of suicidal ideation during COVID-19 |
| title_full | Intolerance of aloneness as a prospective predictor of suicidal ideation during COVID-19 |
| title_fullStr | Intolerance of aloneness as a prospective predictor of suicidal ideation during COVID-19 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Intolerance of aloneness as a prospective predictor of suicidal ideation during COVID-19 |
| title_short | Intolerance of aloneness as a prospective predictor of suicidal ideation during COVID-19 |
| title_sort | intolerance of aloneness as a prospective predictor of suicidal ideation during covid 19 |
| topic | SARS-CoV-2 Social distancing Suicide Borderline psychopathology Experience sampling Longitudinal |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666915323000082 |
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