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Cited by 673Suicide and Self-Harm StudiesHomicide, Infanticide, and Child AbuseDeath Anxiety and Social Exclusion

Ideation-to-action theories of suicide: a conceptual and empirical update

Klonsky, E David, Saffer, Boaz Y, Bryan, Craig J·2018·Current Opinion in Psychology
DOI 10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.07.020
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Abstract

This review provides a conceptual and empirical update regarding ideation-to-action theories of suicide. These theories-including the interpersonal theory (IPTS), integrated motivational-volitional model (IMV), three-step theory (3ST), and fluid vulnerability theory (FVT)-agree that, firstly, the development of suicidal ideation and secondly, the progression from suicide desire to attempts are distinct processes with distinct explanations. At the same time, these theories have some substantive differences. A literature review indicates that the IPTS has received extensive examination, whereas evidence has only begun to accumulate for the other theories. Based on current evidence, we offer three inferences. First, the capability for suicide meaningfully distinguishes those who have attempted suicide (attempters) from those with suicidal desire who have not attempted (ideators). This encouraging finding is broadly consistent with the IPTS, IMV, and 3ST. The nature and measurement of capability warrant further attention. Second, consistent with the 3ST, accumulating evidence suggests that pain and hopelessness motivate suicidal desire more than other factors. Third, the FVT, which is largely compatible with other theories, may be best equipped to explain the non-linear time-course of suicidal ideation and attempts. Longitudinal studies over various time-frames (minutes, hours, days, weeks, months) are necessary to further evaluate and elaborate ideation-to-action theories of suicide.

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  • Ideation-to-action theories make assumptions about which stressors are most implicated in suicidal thoughts and behaviors, but these stressors are rarely explicitly measured.

    “First, although ideation-to-action theories of suicide make assumptions about the types of stressors most implicated in STBs (e.g., Klonsky et al. 2018), these forms of stress are rarely explicitly measured”

    From Life stress and suicide in adolescents (2019) · cites this paper as Klonsky et al. 2018

  • Contemporary ideation-to-action frameworks posit that stress exposure contributes to the development and worsening of suicide ideation and to the escalation from ideation to attempts.

    “Contemporary ideation-to-action frameworks posit that stress exposure contributes to both the development and worsening of suicide ideation, as well as to the escalation from ideation to attempts (Klonsky et al. 2018).”

    From Life stress and suicide in adolescents (2019) · cites this paper as Klonsky et al. 2018

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Authors
Klonsky, E. D., Saffer, B. Y., & Bryan, C. J.
Affiliations
  • University of British Columbia (CA)
  • University of Utah (US)
Corresponding author
Klonsky, E David
ORCID
Venue
Current Opinion in Psychology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2018-08
Volume
22
Pages
38-43
ISSN
2352-250X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.07.020
OpenAlex
W2738725763
Semantic Scholar
748530c59bf9964ef1df5e8dd182e5961c7d8840
Cited by
673
References
37
Citations by year
2026: 103 · 2025: 116 · 2024: 98 · 2023: 97 · 2022: 79 · 2021: 77 · 2020: 48 · 2019: 35 · 2018: 19
FWCI
4.26
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Current Opinion in Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
  • Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Homicide, Infanticide, and Child Abuse
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion
Keywords
suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, interpersonal theory of suicide, integrated motivational-volitional model, suicidal desire, hopelessness, pain
MeSH terms
Humans, Psychological Theory, Suicide, Attempted, Suicidal Ideation

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