Cited by 149Suicide and Self-Harm StudiesMental Health Research TopicsMental Health via Writing

Use of Ecological Momentary Assessment to Study Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior: a Systematic Review

Sedano-Capdevila, Alba, Porras-Segovia, Alejandro, Bello, Hugo J., Baca-García, Enrique, Barrigon, Maria Luisa·2021·Current Psychiatry Reports

Abstract

Purpose of review Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) is a recently introduced approach to patient evaluation that consists of asking patients questions in real time and in their usual habitat. This method seeks to contribute to suicide prevention by providing psychiatrists with detailed information about suicidal thoughts and behavior, how these fluctuate over short periods of time, and the short-term risk factors presented by patients. We conducted a systematic review of published research using EMA to study suicidal thoughts and behavior.Recent findings Several systematic reviews of EMA in mental health have been conducted to date, and the literature contains numerous theoretical papers and compilations on EMA and suicide phenomena. To date, however, no systematic reviews have explored the use of this tool to study suicidal thoughts and behavior. We performed a systematic review of five databases (i.e., PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycINFO) to identify studies on EMA and suicidal thoughts and behavior. An initial search revealed 544 articles. Following the study selection process, 35 studies were included in the review. Almost three-quarters of the studies were published in the last 4 years. The studies reviewed concluded that EMA was generally feasible and well accepted. EMA findings correlated well with the results of a retrospective assessment, though tended to over-represent symptom severity. Our review points to important aspects of suicidal thoughts and behavior, such as its wide fluctuation over short periods of time. Negative affect and disturbed sleep, among others, emerged as short-term predictors of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Therefore, EMA is a potentially useful tool in clinical practice, although not without drawbacks, such as participant fatigue with questionnaires and ethical concerns.

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Crossref · 10.1007/s11920-021-01255-7

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  • There was only one study exploring suicidal ideation and attempts despite the ample existing literature on AA in suicide research and the strong association between suicide and SA.

    “For example, there was only one study exploring suicidal ideation and attempts despite the ample existing literature on AA in suicide research [102] and the strong association between suicide and SA [103].”

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Authors
Sedano-Capdevila, A., Porras-Segovia, A., Bello, H. J., Baca-García, E., & Barrigon, M. L.
Affiliations
  • Hospital Universitario Rey Juan Carlos (ES)
  • Universidad de Valladolid (ES)
Venue
Current Psychiatry Reports
Published
2021-05-18
Volume
23
Issue
7
Pages
41-41
ISSN
  • 1523-3812 (ISSN-L)
  • 1535-1645
OpenAlex
W3160093067
Cited by
148
References
84
Citations by year
2026: 33 · 2025: 30 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 34 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 3
FWCI
2.82
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Current Psychiatry Reports (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Mental Health Research Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health via Writing
Keywords
ecological momentary assessment, suicidal ideation, suicidal behavior, suicide prevention, negative affect, sleep disorders, ethical considerations
MeSH terms
Ecological Momentary Assessment, Humans, Surveys and Questionnaires, Retrospective Studies, Suicide, Suicidal Ideation

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