Suicidal ideation and the five-factor model of personality

Trait predictors of suicidal ideation were examined within the taxonomic framework provided by the five-factor model of personality in a sample of young adults (N=185). Participants completed the revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) and the Adult Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (ASIQ), an inclusive measure of suicide-related thinking. ASIQ scores were positively associated with neuroticism and negatively associated with conscientiousness. Factor-level multiple regression analyses revealed significant gender differences; namely, suicidal ideation was positively predicted by neuroticism in females and negatively predicted by conscientiousness in males. More detailed analyses revealed distinctive patterns of association between facets and ASIQ scores within factor domains. Suicidal ideation was positively predicted by the neuroticism facets, angry hostility and depression, and negatively predicted by the conscientiousness facet, self-discipline. These findings are discussed in relation to previous research investigating personality and suicide-related constructs.