Describing and Measuring the Pathway to Suicide Attempts: A Preliminary Study. Issue 3 (1st August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Millner, Alexander J.; Lee, Michael D.; Nock, Matthew K.
• Is Part Of: Suicide and life-threatening behavior. Volume 47:Issue 3(2017:Jun.)
• Page Start: 353
• Page End: 369
• Publication Date: 2016-08-01
• Subjects: Suicide -- Periodicals; Suicide -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Behavior -- Periodicals; Suicide -- Periodicals; 362.28
• DOI: 10.1111/sltb.12284
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0363-0234

Abstract

Abstract : To die by suicide, one must think about suicide, make a plan, and then carry it out. Prior research has examined the presence and predictors of these outcomes; however, virtually no studies have characterized how these steps unfold along the pathway to suicide. A novel instrument was administered to 30 recent suicide attempters. Results revealed that although the median onset for suicidal ideation occurs 1 to 5 years prior to attempting, the median for 6 of the 10 steps measured was within 6 hours of attempting. Overall, 86.5% of proximal planning steps took place within 1 week of attempting and 66.6% occurred within 12 hours.