title: The moderating role of social support on the relationship between impulsivity and suicide risk.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. There has been considerable research into risk factors for suicide, such as impulsivity, but considerably less research on protective factors.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study examines the role that social support plays in the relationship between impulsivity and suicide risk.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 169 undergraduates who completed self-report measures of impulsivity and social support. Suicide risk was assessed using an interview measure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Social support moderates the relationship between impulsivity and suicide risk, such that those who are highly impulsive are less likely to be at risk for suicide if they also have high levels of social support.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Social support can be a useful buffer to suicide risk for at-risk individuals who are highly impulsive.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA. ekleiman@gmu.edu
authors.forename: Evan M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Kleiman
authors.forename: John H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Riskind
authors.forename: Karen E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Schaefer
authors.forename: Hilary
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Weingarden
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D000092864:Suicide Prevention