Evaluating Potential Iatrogenic Effects of a Suicide-Focused Research Protocol

Background: Concerns regarding the potential iatrogenic effects of suicide assessment have long impeded suicide research. Aims: We sought to examine the effects of an intensive, suicide-focused assessment protocol on mood, suicidality, and urges to harm oneself or others. Method: Participants were a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Crisis : the journal of crisis intervention and suicide prevention 2022-12, Vol.43 (6), p.508-515
Main Authors: Schatten, Heather T., Allen, Kenneth J. D., Carl, Emily C., Miller, Ivan W., Armey, Michael F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Distress
Female
Human
Inpatient
Male
Measurement
Psychiatric Evaluation
Psychiatric Hospitalization
Psychiatric Units
Screening Tests
Stress
Suicide
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Summary:Background: Concerns regarding the potential iatrogenic effects of suicide assessment have long impeded suicide research. Aims: We sought to examine the effects of an intensive, suicide-focused assessment protocol on mood, suicidality, and urges to harm oneself or others. Method: Participants were adults admitted to a psychiatric inpatient unit for recent suicidal ideation or behavior, or reasons unrelated to suicide. Our study protocol included clinical interviews evaluating suicide history and laboratory tasks with suicide-related stimuli. We modified an existing measure to create a brief, 6-item interview, the Assessment Session Check-In, which was administered before and after research procedures. Results: These indicated overall reductions in distress, suicidal intent, and urges to harm oneself or others from preassessment to postassessment. Postassessment reductions in stress predicted lower likelihood of a suicide attempt at follow-up. Limitations: Although beneficial to examine a high-risk sample, it is possible that an intensive suicide-focused protocol could prove more problematic for those with lower baseline levels of negative affect and suicidal thoughts. Conclusions: Results challenge the belief that assessing suicide elevates distress or suicidality, even among a high-risk sample of adults admitted to a psychiatric inpatient unit.
ISSN:0227-5910
2151-2396
DOI:10.1027/0227-5910/a000823