Citation

Pritchard-Boone L, Range LM. Arch. Suicide Res. 2005; 9(4): 353-359.

Affiliation

The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406-5025, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, International Academy of Suicide Research, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13811110500182265

PMID

16179331

Abstract

All people are subject to memory suggestibility, but suicidal individuals may be especially so. The link between suicidality and suggestibility is unclear given mixed findings and methodological weaknesses of past research. To test the link between suicidality and interrogative suggestibility, 149 undergraduates answered questions about suicidal thoughts and reasons for living, and participated in a direct suggestibility procedure. As expected, suggestibility correlated with suicidality but accounted for little overall variance (4%). Mental health professionals might be able to take advantage of client suggestibility by directly telling suicidal persons to refrain from suicidal thoughts or actions.

Language: en