Citation

Rogers ML, Gai AR, Joiner TE. J. Psychopathol. Clin. Sci. 2022; 131(8): 868-880.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/abn0000783

PMID

36326628

Abstract

Previous evidence has highlighted the potential roles of both physical and psychological distance to suicide methods as an important factor in conferring suicide risk; however, less is known about the temporal stability of and associations between these constructs, other facets of capability for suicide, and suicide-related outcomes. The present study examined fluctuations in and associations between physical and psychological distance to suicide methods, fearlessness about death, and suicidal intent using ecological momentary assessment. A sample of 237 adults at high risk for suicide (61.6% female, Mage = 27.12 years) responded to six prompts daily for 2 weeks assessing their physical and psychological distance to preferred suicide methods, fearlessness about death, and suicidal intent.

RESULTS indicated that physical and psychological distance to suicide methods exhibited both trait- and state-like properties, that lower physical and psychological distance and higher fearlessness about death were associated with higher concurrent suicidal intent, and that lower psychological distance was uniquely predictive of higher subsequent time-point suicidal intent, controlling for concurrent suicidal intent. Suicide attempt history and preferred suicide methods were explored as potential moderating factors. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of assessing and intervening upon psychological distance to suicide methods, in addition to physical proximity to these methods, in lethal means counseling. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Language: en