A Multidimensional Examination of Dissociation and Its Relationship With Suicide Ideation and Attempts

Bibliographic Data

ID9614089
AuthorsSidney E Nedelmann (0009-0008-7151-8567, University of British Columbia), Mikayla C Pachkowski (0000-0002-6831-8053, University of British Columbia), Arezoo Shahnaz (0000-0003-4552-8629, University of British Columbia), E David Klonsky (0000-0002-3057-0800, University of British Columbia Hospital, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume57
Issue4
Pages720-732
Publication date2025-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBehavior Therapy (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0005-7894 • E-ISSN: 1878-1888
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.beth.2025.12.002
PMID42276689
OpenAlexW4417505674
LanguageEN
References cited39

Used multiple measures to capture distinct dimensions of dissociation. • Suicide ideation was most strongly linked to Depersonalization and Zoning Out. • Suicide attempts (among ideators) were most strongly linked to Reexperiencing. • Psychological pain and PTSD may partly explain the dissociation–ideation links. • PTSD may explain the association between Reexperiencing and suicide attempts. Dissociation is a multidimensional construct linked to suicide risk. However, it is unclear which dimensions of dissociation are most important to suicide risk, and whether they correlate with suicide ideation (SI), suicide attempts (SA), or both. Thus, the present study utilized multiple measures of dissociation to examine the differential relationships of distinct dissociation dimensions to SI and SA. Participants were 545 undergraduates, oversampled for suicide risk, including 141 with histories of SA and 255 with histories of SI but not attempts. Suicide history, dissociative symptoms, and potential covariates were measured via validated self-report questionnaires. In general, analyses indicated that dissociation was associated with both SI and SA among those with ideation. Regarding specific dimensions, Depersonalization/derealization and Zoning out best predicted SI, whereas Reexperiencing best distinguished SA from those with SI only. The findings suggest that different types of dissociative experiences are associated with different aspects of suicide risk. Future research should continue to utilize updated, multidimensional models of dissociation to better understand the role of this construct in suicide risk

Depersonalization · Derealization · Dissociation (chemistry) · Dissociative · Poison control · Suicidal ideation · Suicide ideation · Suicide prevention · Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies · Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies

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