Emotion reactivity, emotion dysregulation, and suicidality among Chinese undergraduates: A study based on the “ideation-to-action” framework

Emotion reactivity and emotion dysregulation have been implicated in risk for suicidality. However, it remains unclear whether emotion reactivity and emotion dysregulation are predictive factors of suicide ideation, the progression from suicide ideation to suicide attempt, or both. The present study explored the relationship among emotion reactivity, emotion dysregulation, suicide ideation, and suicide attempt within a sample of Chinese undergraduates (n = 1596). According to lifetime suicidality, the current sample was divided into three groups: (a) non-ideators (no lifetime suicide ideation and no lifetime suicide attempts), (b) suicide ideators (with lifetime suicide ideation and no lifetime suicide attempts), and (c) suicide attempters (with lifetime suicide ideation and lifetime suicide attempts). Results of multinomial logistic regression suggested that compared to non-ideators, suicide ideators reported greater problems with emotion reactivity, and greater difficulties in emotion dysregulation, especially for emotion regulation strategies and emotional clarity. Compared to suicide ideators, suicide attempters reported greater difficulties in emotion dysregulation, especially for controlling impulses of negative emotions and emotional awareness. Emotion reactivity and emotion dysregulation are differentially associated with lifetime suicidality, and these findings provide preliminary guidance for suicide prevention and intervention.