Life experiences and the acquired capability for suicide in incarcerated men.

Suicide is a leading cause of death in U.S. prisons. Prisoners may be at risk for suicide due to their greater likelihood of experiencing events that promote the acquired capability for suicide. The current study examined the associations of 10 domains of life experiences with the acquired capability for suicide in 399 male prisoners. All life experience domains were associated with acquired capability with certain domains evidencing relatively stronger relations. Results support that aggression, thrill seeking, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and accidental injury may be particularly important to the development of the acquired capability for suicide in prisoners.