(PS2-C58) Everyday Discrimination and Its Effects on Suicide-related Coping and Suicidal Ideation Severity

 Introduction. Suicide is a devastating and preventable cause of death worldwide. Perceived discrimination (PD) is consistently linked to adverse mental and physical health outcomes, including suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Researchers have proposed two pathways by which PD elevates risk of suicide: (1) intraindividual processes that predispose persons to suicidality (e.g., low self-efficacy, low self-esteem, hopelessness, fear of rejection), and (2) restricted access to beneficial resources and services. Given that PD is a difficult risk factor to intervene on, management of suicidal thoughts and urges when they arise is one way protect against escalations to suicidal behaviour. Suicide-related coping (SRC) refers to one’s knowledge of and perceived ability to use both internal coping strategies and external resources to manage suicidal thoughts. As a whole, SRC is surprisingly understudied; yet external SRC may be especially relevant for persons who are exposed to discrimination. The current study sought to identify whether persons with low perceived internal and external SRC are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of PD on suicide risk. We hypothesized that both forms of SRC—but especially external SRC—would moderate associations between PD and SI severity. Method. Participants (N = 229, M age = 29.8, SD = 9.01) with recent SI were enrolled in an online study through Prolific. They completed a baseline survey assessing demographic variables and PD (Williams et al., 1997), and a one-month follow-up survey assessing for SRC (Stanley et al., 2017) and SI severity (Reynolds, 1991). A large proportion of the sample identified as White (70.2%), non-Hispanic (92.2%), heterosexual (43.9%), and cisgender (85.8%). When reporting on the primary reasons for everyday discrimination, the majority (18%) expressed gender-related discrimination, followed by physical appearance (16.1%), weight (8.1%), race (7.8%), and sexual orientation (4.3%). Results. Greater PD predicted SI one month later (β = 1.30, SE = 0.21, p < .001). External SRC significantly moderated the relation between PD and SI (β = -0.06, SE = 0.27, p < .05), such that lower external SRC worsened effects. The conditional indirect effect of PD on SI was significant at all levels of SRC but strongest at low levels (β = 1.73, SE = 0.27, Bootstrap 95% CI = 1.19, 2.27]). Surprisingly, internal SRC was not a significant moderator. Thus, the relation between PD and SI was stronger for persons with low external, but not internal, SRC. Discussion. Results from this study suggest that when it comes to coping with suicidal thoughts and urges, one’s perception of their inability to engage with external resources, rather than internal resources, may increase vulnerability to SI among those who face discrimination. Our findings point to the importance of increasing access to services as a direct intervention target for preventing suicide, and places a heavier burden on society, rather than the individual. To fully understand the role of SRC, research should aim to replicate these results in more diverse and marginalized samples.