(PS2-D89) Causal Uncertainty and Suicidal Ideation: The Moderating Role of Primary and Secondary Control

Increased causal uncertainty (CU), or doubts about one’s understanding of the causes of events, is associated with lack of perceived control and depression. Tobin and Raymundo (2010) found that primary perceived control (beliefs about influencing or modifying the environment in order to fit one’s personal needs) and secondary control (accepting or psychologically adjusting oneself to existing conditions) significantly moderated the relation between CU and depression such that the association was stronger at low, not high, levels of control. The current study examined whether primary and secondary control would moderate the concurrent relation between CU and suicidal ideation, respectively. Through subreddits related to mental health on Reddit.com, 271 adults ages 18-50 were recruited during Spring 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants completed an online survey containing self-report measures of primary control, secondary control, causal uncertainty, and suicidal ideation. Simple linear regression analyses revealed that both primary control (p < .001) and secondary control (p < .001) statistically predicted decreased suicidal ideation, while increased CU statistically predicted increased suicidal ideation (p < .01). Primary control significantly moderated the association between CU and suicidal ideation (β = .54, t(256) = 2.59, p = .01, 95% CI = .00, .02), such that at medium (B = .10, SE B = .04, t(256) = 2.29, p = .02, 95% CI = .01, .18) and high levels of primary control (B = .20, SE B = .06, t(256) = 3.36, p = .001, 95% CI = .08, .31), increasing causal uncertainty was associated with increased suicidal ideation. However, there was no significant moderation for secondary control (β = .23, t(257) = 1.24, p = .22, 95% CI = -.00, .01). These results suggest that individuals who believe that they can exert influence within their environment and those who respond flexibly to situations with acceptance and/or personal adjustments may be less susceptible to suicidal thoughts. This study was first to demonstrate that chronic CU is positively associated with suicidal ideation. Further, individuals striving to control events that they may not fully understood may be more vulnerable to suicidal thoughts. Finally, secondary control may promote acceptance and self-adjustment to environmental realities and not cognitive states of uncertainty. Additional research is needed to examine and clarify the direct and synergistic effects of cognitive factors such as beliefs about control, causal understanding and uncertainty, on suicidal ideation.