Identification of prospective short-term risk factors for suicidal ideation and non-fatal suicide attempts in a large cohort of adults with recent suicidal ideation.

Abstract

Understanding short-term risk factors for suicidal ideation (SI) and non-fatal suicide attempts (NFSAs) in at-risk populations is essential for suicide prevention initiatives. The prospective associations between previously identified near-term risk factors for suicidal behavior and SI and NFSAs were examined in a sample of adults with recent suicidal ideation (N = 423; 72.3% female) who completed questionnaires every two weeks for a year (n = 6321 included observations; completion rates ranged from 70-89%). Linear and logistic models examined the prospective associations between the risk factors and SI and NFSAs, adjusting for age, sex, and NFSA history. Overall, 414 (97.9%) participants reported SI on at least one assessment and 32 (7.6%) reported at least one NFSA during this period. Emptiness (adjusted B [aB]=.13), burdensomeness (aB=.11), alcohol quantity (aB=.05), and prior-timepoint SI (aB=.15) had significant prospective associations with SI. Interpersonal negative life events (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=1.63), emptiness (aOR=1.83), central nervous system stimulant use (aOR=2.65), and SI (aOR=1.20) had significant positive associations with subsequent NFSAs. Burdensomeness (aOR=.77) had a significant negative association with subsequent NFSAs in the adjusted model. These findings highlight constructs that may improve identification of individuals at short-term risk for worsening SI and/or NFSAs.