Association of real‐time assessed mood, affect and suicidal ideation in psychiatric inpatients with unipolar depression. (8th April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lucht, Luise; Spangenberg, Lena; Forkmann, Thomas; Hallensleben, Nina; Rath, Dajana; Strauss, Maria; Glaesmer, Heide
• Other Names: Emmelkamp Paul M.G. guestEditor.; Spada Marcantonio M. guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Clinical psychology & psychotherapy. Volume 29:Number 5(2022)
• Page Start: 1580
• Page End: 1586
• Publication Date: 2022-04-08
• Subjects: affect -- ecological momentary assessment -- mood -- proximal risk factors -- suicidal ideation; Clinical psychology -- Periodicals; Psychotherapy -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2741
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1063-3995

Abstract

Abstract: Previous research provided preliminary support of a potential reinforcing effect of suicidal ideation demonstrating reduced negative affect and increased positive affect after thinking about suicide. The present study therefore sought to investigate the role of mood and affect as a proximal risk factor of suicidal ideation in a high‐risk sample. Seventy‐four psychiatric inpatients (72% female) with unipolar depression and current and/or lifetime suicidal ideation aged 18 to 85 years ( M = 37.6, SD = 14.3) took part in an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) over 6 days. Multilevel analyses were calculated. Analyses revealed negative valence of mood and low positive affect to be predictors of subsequent intensity of suicidal ideation (active, passive) as well as predictors of change in suicidal ideation (active, passive) since the last measurement. High negative affect only predicted intensity of passive suicidal ideation. Suicidal ideation (active, passive) was prospectively associated with subsequent negative valence of mood and lower positive affect as well as with higher intensity of negative affect. Suicidal ideation (active, passive) also predicted the change in valence of mood, positive affect and negative affect since the last measurement. Mood and affect should be taken into account as important proximal risk factors of active and passive suicidal ideation. The results do not support the idea of a reinforcing effect of suicidal ideation. In fact, they show a pattern of reduced subsequent positive affect, negative valence of mood and increased negative affect. Replication studies with larger samples and longer EMA follow‐ups are needed.