(PS8-17) A Latent Profile Analysis of Affective Heterogeneity and Suicidal Ideation History

Abstract Text: Background
As suicide rates continue rising, understanding the distinct affective processes that are related to suicidal ideation (SI) is critical for tailored intervention efforts. While prior research has linked SI to the presence of negative affect (NA), predominant methodological approaches typically collapse individual assessment items across same-valenced dimensions to form broad NA and positive affect (PA) composites. Additionally, the role of PA in suicide research is largely overlooked, leading to an obscured understanding of the relationships between specific affective experiences and suicide risk. The current study addresses this gap by applying the circumplex model, conceptualizing affect along valence and arousal dimensions, to identify affective profiles and their association with lifetime SI.

Methods
Participants (N = 435; Mage = 47.20 years; 66.90% female) completed The International Positive and Negative Affect Schedule Short Form (I-PANAS-SF; Thompson et al., 2016), the Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors Interview-Revised (SITBI-R; Fox et al., 2020), and demographic measures. Three affective dimensions were derived: pleasant activation (positive valence, high arousal—alert, inspired, attentive, active, determined), unpleasant activation (negative valence, high arousal—nervous), and activated displeasure (negative valence, moderate arousal—hostile, upset, ashamed, afraid). Latent profile analysis (LPA) identified subgroups with distinct affective profiles. Chi-square tests and logistic regression examined associations between profile membership and SI history.

Results
LPA identified four distinct affective profiles: Profile 4 (n = 203, 46.70%) – high pleasant activation, low negative affect; Profile 3 (n = 119, 27.40%) – near-average pleasant activation, elevated unpleasant activation; Profile 2 (n = 63, 14.50%) – moderately reduced pleasant activation, below-average negative affect; Profile 1 (n = 50, 11.50%) – low pleasant activation, elevated unpleasant activation. Profiles differed significantly in SI history (𝝌2 = 45.26, p < .01, Cramer's V = 0.31). SI history was most common in Profile 3 (83.20%), followed by Profile 2 (76.20%), Profile 1 (72.00%), and Profile 4 (48.80%). Compared to Profile 4, SI risk was highest in Profile 3 (OR = 5.20, 95% CI [3.04, 9.25]), followed by Profile 2 (OR = 3.36, 95% CI [1.81, 6.57]) and Profile 1 (OR = 2.70, 95% CI [1.40, 5.46]), all p < .01.

Conclusions
Findings highlight the heterogeneity of affective risk profiles based on SI history, emphasizing the importance of considering both positive and negative valence and arousal dimensions when examining relationships between affect and suicide risk. The highest SI categorization was among individuals with near-average PA/positive arousal and high negative affect and arousal, while high PA/positive arousal with low NA/arousal was linked to the lowest SI history. Thus, individuals with equivalent levels of NA may have different risk patterns for suicide based on concurrent levels of PA and associated arousal levels. Clinically, these distinct profiles may help identify individuals at elevated risk and inform personalized intervention approaches based on specific affective patterns.