Do physical disabilities differentiate between suicidal ideation and attempts? An examination within the lens of the ideation to action framework of suicide.

OBJECTIVES

This study examined histories of suicidality among those with and without physical disabilities. Physical disabilities were anticipated to differentiate those with a history of suicide attempts from those with a history of ideation only after accounting for the presence of health conditions and other correlates.

METHODS

Participants were 374 adults (M = 36.08; 55.61% female; 84 with at least one physical disability) who completed a series of online questionnaires. Multinomial logistic regressions were conducted to examine the effect of the presence of physical disabilities on states of suicidality.

RESULTS

The presence of a physical disability was associated with significantly increased odds of suicide attempts when compared to those with suicidal ideation only. This association was no longer significant when chronic pain conditions were classified as health conditions.

CONCLUSION

Physical disability may be a factor differentiating between ideators and attempt survivors.