Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology (PhD)

Department

Clinical Psychology

First Advisor/Committee Member

Keyne C. Law, Ph.D.

Second Advisor/Committee Member

Jessica Fossum, Ph.D.

Third Advisor/Committee Member

Martha Glisky, Ph.D., ABPP-CN

Abstract

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is associated with cognitive and emotional changes that may increase suicide risk. This study, grounded in the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (IPTS), examined whether premorbid functioning moderates the relationship between cognitive functioning (working memory and processing speed) and suicidal desire (thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness) in individuals with mTBI. Participants (n = 54) were drawn from a clinical neuropsychological sample and completed the WAIS-IV, TOPF, BDI-II, and Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ). Hierarchical moderated regression analyses were conducted across 100 multiply imputed datasets. Depressive symptoms were included as a covariate. Results showed that depressive symptoms significantly predicted both components of suicidal desire. No significant effects were found for cognitive functioning, premorbid ability, or their interactions. Findings highlight the central role of depressive symptoms in suicide risk among individuals with mTBI and underscore the clinical importance of mood assessment in neuropsychological contexts. Tools like the Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) may support early identification of interpersonal distress within mTBI populations. Future research should incorporate subjective cognitive complaints, consider alternative premorbid assessment, and track symptom progression to improve suicide risk detection and inform multifaceted intervention efforts.

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