(PS2-C57) Living in the Present Moment: The Role of Mindfulness on the Association Between Impulsivity and Suicide for Black Adults

Impulsivity is one factor that is associated with increased risk for suicide and related behavior. However, limited studies have examined the association between impulsivity and suicidality, or clinically relevant underlying mechanisms, for Black Americans. Given the rise in suicide rates for Black Americans, research investigating mechanisms by which risk factors influence suicidal behavior for this population is imperative. Data from 332 Black adults (79.2% female; M_age = 22.4, SD = 5.6) was used to examine the indirect effect of impulsivity on suicide ideation and elevated suicide risk through mindfulness. Participants completed an online questionnaire battery that included measures of impulsivity, mindfulness, suicide ideation, and elevated suicide risk. After controlling for age and gender, mediation analyses revealed that impulsivity was directly and indirectly associated with suicide ideation and elevated suicide risk via lower levels of mindfulness. These findings provide preliminary insight into novel risk and protective factors that influence suicide ideation and elevated suicide risk among Black Americans. Further, these findings support the clinical utility of mindfulness as a potential buffer to the negative consequences of impulsivity for Black Americans.