Predicting suicidal ideation in psychiatrically hospitalized veterans using the death/suicide Implicit Association Test: A prospective cohort study

Smith, Eric G; Howard, Alexandra; Schultz, Mark; Li, Mingfei; Salvatore, Paola; O'Shea, Brian A.

Abstract

Introduction
We investigated whether the Death/Suicide Implicit Association Test (D/S-IAT) predicted suicidal ideation (SI) in psychiatric inpatients.

Methods
One hundred eighty veterans admitted for either SI or suicidal behavior (SB) (the primary sample) (N = 90) or alcohol detoxification (N = 90) completed the D/S-IAT and scales measuring SI. Correlation and regression coefficients were measured between the D/S-IAT (as a full-scale or dichotomized score [D > 0]) and self-reported current or imminent SI (over the next 1–3 days).

Results
In the primary sample, the full-scale D/S-IAT was significantly correlated with the intensity of current SI (r = 0.22, p = 0.04) and especially with wishes to be dead (r = 0.35, p < 0.001). The intensity of imminent SI was significantly predicted by the full-scale (p = 0.02) and dichotomized D/S-IAT score (p = 0.05) in a multiple regression model. However, no significant associations were observed when both the D/S-IAT score and current (present/absent) or imminent SI (occurred/did not occur) were dichotomous measures. In participants receiving alcohol detoxification, the D/S-IAT significantly predicted only wishes to be dead (r = 0.33, p < 0.001).

Conclusion
The full-scale D/S-IAT score predicted the current intensity of wishes to be dead in both inpatient samples, and current and imminent SI in participants admitted for SI/SB. The dichotomized D/S-IAT score did not predict the simple occurrence of SI.

Citation

Smith, E. G., Howard, A., Schultz, M., Li, M., Salvatore, P., & O'Shea, B. A. (2023). Predicting suicidal ideation in psychiatrically hospitalized veterans using the death/suicide Implicit Association Test: A prospective cohort study. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 53(6), 994-1009. https://doi.org/10.1111/sltb.12998

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 21, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Sep 27, 2023
• Publication Date: 2023-12
• Deposit Date: Sep 28, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 28, 2024
• Journal: Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior
• Print ISSN: 0363-0234
• Electronic ISSN: 1943-278X
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 53
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 994-1009
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/sltb.12998
• Keywords: veterans, suicide, Implicit Association Test
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/25384605
• Publisher URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/sltb.12998