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Intrapersonal positive future thinking predicts repeat suicide attempts in hospital-treated suicide attempters.

Rory C. O’Connor; Roger Smyth; J. Mark G. Williams

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Title: Intrapersonal positive future thinking predicts repeat suicide attempts in hospital-treated suicide attempters.
Author: Rory C. O’Connor; Roger Smyth; J. Mark G. Williams
Source: Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · DOI 10.1037/a0037846 Published 2014-09-01 · Open source record
License: CC BY 3.0 deed

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Objective: Although there is clear evidence that low levels of positive future thinking (anticipation of positive experiences in the future) and hopelessness are associated with suicide risk, the relationship between the content of positive future thinking and suicidal behavior has yet to be investigated. This is the first study to determine whether the positive future thinking–suicide attempt relationship varies as a function of the content of the thoughts and whether positive future thinking predicts suicide attempts over time. Method: A total of 388 patients hospitalized following a suicide attempt completed a range of clinical and psychological measures (depression, hopelessness, suicidal ideation, suicidal intent and positive future thinking). Fifteen months later, a nationally linked database was used to determine who had been hospitalized again after a suicide attempt. Results: During follow-up, 25.6% of linked participants were readmitted to hospital following a suicide attempt. In univariate logistic regression analyses, previous suicide attempts, suicidal ideation, hopelessness, and depression—as well as low levels of achievement, low levels of financial positive future thoughts, and high levels of intrapersonal (thoughts about the individual and no one else) positive future thoughts predicted repeat suicide attempts. However, only previous suicide attempts, suicidal ideation, and high levels of intrapersonal positive future thinking were significant predictors in multivariate analyses. Discussion: Positive future thinking has predictive utility over time; however, the content of the thinking affects the direction and strength of the positive future thinking–suicidal behavior relationship. Future research is required to understand the mechanisms that link high levels of intrapersonal positive future thinking to suicide risk and how intrapersonal thinking should be targeted in treatment interventions. This study highlights the importance of positive future thinking as a predictor of future suicidal behavior. Clinicians ought to consider the content of positive future thinking, as not all types of positive future thinking are protective over time.

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Original journal: Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
Published: 2014-09-01
DOI: 10.1037/a0037846
Open record: PMC4321534

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