Ecological momentary assessment is a neglected methodology in suicidology
Abstract
Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) is a group of research methods that collect data frequently, in many contexts, and in real-world settings. EMA has been fairly neglected in suicidology. The current article provides an overview of EMA for suicidologists including definitions, data collection considerations, and different sampling strategies. Next, the benefits of EMA in suicidology (i.e., reduced recall bias, accurate tracking of fluctuating variables, testing assumptions of theories, use in interventions), participant safety considerations, and examples of published research that investigate self-directed violence variables using EMA are discussed. The article concludes with a summary and suggested directions for EMA research in suicidology with the particular aim to spur the increased use of this methodology among suicidologists.
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EMA has been used in clinical trials only to a very limited extent.
“This approach has been used in clinical trials,97 but only to a very limited extent, leading some to describe it as a “neglected methodology.”98”
From Precision clinical trials: a framework for getting to precision medicine for neurobehavioural disorders (2021) · cites this paper as [98]
EMA remains a relatively underused data collection method in suicide research.
“Meanwhile, EMA remains a relatively underused data collection method in suicide research, although its features make it suitable for the assessment of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) (4, 25, 26).”
From Don't Miss the Moment: A Systematic Review of Ecological Momentary Assessment in Suicide Research (2022) · cites this paper as [4]
EMA is suitable for the assessment of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
“Meanwhile, EMA remains a relatively underused data collection method in suicide research, although its features make it suitable for the assessment of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) (4, 25, 26).”
From Don't Miss the Moment: A Systematic Review of Ecological Momentary Assessment in Suicide Research (2022) · cites this paper as [4]
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- Authors
- Davidson, C. L., Anestis, M. D., & Gutierrez, P. M.
- Corresponding author
- Davidson, Collin L.
- Venue
- Archives of Suicide Research
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2016-01-29
- Volume
- 21
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 1-11
- ISSN
- 1381-1118 (ISSN-L)
- 1543-6136
- OpenAlex
- W2328844752
- Cited by
- 108
- References
- 39
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 1
- FWCI
- 1.66
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Archives of Suicide Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Rutgers University Community Repository (Rutgers University) (submittedVersion)
- Aquila Digital Community (University of Southern Mississippi) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Mental Health Research Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health via Writing
- Keywords
- ecological momentary assessment, suicidology, self-directed violence, recall bias, sampling strategy, participant safety, real-world data collection, suicide intervention
- MeSH terms
- Ecological Momentary Assessment, Data Collection, Humans, Research Design, Suicide, Self-Injurious Behavior, Computers, Handheld, Cell Phone, Suicidal Ideation
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