Detecting suicidal thoughts: The power of ecological momentary assessment

In a sample of adults diagnosed with MDD, more than half reported SI through EMA but did not report it on the SSI asking about that same time period.

“For example, in a sample of adults diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD), more than half of the sample reported SI through EMA but did not report it on the SSI asking about that same time period, highlighting a critical weakness associated with retrospective clinical measures (32).”

The most frequent primary co-morbid diagnoses in the reviewed studies were depressive disorders and borderline personality disorder, but inclusion was typically based on a recent history of self-reported suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

“Most frequent primary co-morbid diagnoses were depressive disorders (83, 84, 86) and borderline personality disorder [BPD (58, 64, 82)]; however, inclusion was typically based on (recent) history of self-reported STBs to ensure sufficient number of observations of STBs during the assessment period.”

Correlations were higher for items assessing active ideation (Wish to die r = 0.76) than for passive ideation (Wish to live r = 0.37).

“Correlations were higher for items assessing active (“Wish to die” r = 0.76) rather than passive ideation (“Wish to live” r = 0.37) (86).”

Among adults, 58% of participants reporting suicidal ideation in EMA did not do so in an interview post-EMA.

“Among adults, 58% of participant reporting SI in EMA did not do so in an interview post-EMA (86).”

EMA reports of active suicidal ideation were more highly correlated with retrospective measures than those of passive ideation.

“We further found that EMA reports of active suicidal ideation were more highly correlated with retrospective measures than those of passive ideation (86).”