This study examined whether sleep quality moderates attentional bias and aversion to self-harm in suicidal ideation and NSSI. Sleep problems are associated with increased suicidal ideation and NSSI, and several suicide theories highlight acquired capability (e.g., diminished fear and aversion to pain and death) as key factors increasing suicide risk alongside attentional biases to self-harm. Studies have not looked at how sleep may affect these cognitive factors. Participants included 132 college students with past-month NSSI and suicidal ideation (Mage =19.44; 69.7% Female; 87.9% White; 49.2% in counseling) who completed a 28-day, daily diary protocol. Participants responded to items assessing subjective sleep problems, aversion to self-harm, self-harm attentional bias, NSSI acts, and suicide intent each evening. Results suggest that sleep problems influence how attentional bias and self-harm aversion relate to suicide intent and NSSI. Integrating cognitive behavioral sleep-focused interventions with those addressing cognitive biases and processes could be important in reducing suicide risk and NSSI behaviors.
