Results pertaining to PA are novel and were not hypothesized. Results showed statistically significant associations of PA with suicidal ideation and suicide attempt, with the latter result specific to men. PA is associated with psychopathy, a personality disorder characterized by fearlessness, emotional shallowness, and little sentimentality (Woodworth & Porter, 2002). To the extent that these characteristics are present among proactive aggressive males, they may confer greater risk for attempt. Suicidal behavior, particularly a lethal action, engenders fear that must be overcome in order to carry out the behavior (Joiner, 2005). Thus, comparatively greater fearlessness may promote risk among men prone to PA. Relatedly, given decreased emotional depth, these individuals may experience less potentially protective emotional distress prior to suicidal behavior. As well, perhaps males prone to PA experience lower sentimentality concerning suicidal behavior, for example, showing less concern about the impact that suicide may have on family members. Caution is needed because these are post hoc explanations that require further study. Psychopathy and PA are related but not interchangeable constructs, and prior research, though limited, does not support that the
