Citation

Levi-Belz Y, Gamliel E. Psychother. Res. 2015; 26(4): 436-445.

Affiliation

Department of Behavioural Sciences , Ruppin Academic Center , Emek Hefer , Israel.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Society for Psychotherapy Research, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10503307.2015.1013161

PMID

25751580

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The interpersonal theory of suicide posits that perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness are two causal interactive suicidal risk factors. The aim of this study was to examine whether therapists are affected by these factors upon assessing patients' suicide risk.

METHOD: Using an experimental design, 388 mental health professionals were presented with a text vignette describing a hypothetical patient with either high or low perceived burdensomeness and with either high or low thwarted belongingness.

RESULTS: The findings revealed that both factors affected therapists' risk assessment of psychache, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt and resilience.

CONCLUSIONS: The study results highlight the interpersonal theory as an important theory for understanding the factors upon which therapists and mental health professionals rely when assessing suicide risk.

Language: en