Date of Award

Fall 12-1-2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Clinical Psychology

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Jennifer Schriver

Second Advisor

Kevin Bolinskey

Third Advisor

Ted Maldonado

Abstract

A growing body of research suggests that correctional officers (COs) die by suicide at a significantly higher rate compared to the general population and some other public safety personnel. Despite what is known about this phenomenon, an understanding of the risk factors driving the high rate of suicide among this population remains unclear. Specifically, little attention has been paid to specific risk factors for suicide among this population and there is an overall absence of theory-driven research investigating CO suicide. The present study sought to address the gap in this area of research by investigating potential risk factors for suicide behavior among COs using methodology derived from an empirically supported theoretical framework. In particular, the present study examined risk factors associated with the acquired capability for suicide, including access to lethal means, fearlessness of death, fear of pain, and exposure to painful and provocative events. Overall, findings revealed significant group differences across key variables associated with suicide behavior. CO participants endorsed all risk factors in the direction associated with suicide behavior to a significantly greater degree than a general population sample. Consistent with existing literature on CO suicide, the CO group produced significantly higher scores on a measure of suicide behavior compared to the GP participants. The strongest predictor of suicide behavior among the CO group was exposure to painful and provocative events. These findings contribute additional support for the role of acquired capability factors in suicide behavior among the CO population. The present study adds to extant research highlighting an elevated risk for suicide among this group.

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